Managed Service

Definition ∞ A managed service involves the outsourcing of specific business functions or IT operations to a third-party provider who takes responsibility for their proactive management and maintenance. This arrangement allows organizations to leverage external expertise and infrastructure, reducing operational overhead and focusing on core competencies. Examples include cloud hosting, cybersecurity, or network management.
Context ∞ Within the crypto and blockchain industry, managed services are increasingly relevant for enterprises seeking to adopt digital asset technologies without developing extensive in-house expertise. The situation involves providers offering services such as secure custody solutions, node operation, and smart contract auditing, addressing the technical complexities and security requirements of decentralized systems. A critical future development is the expansion of managed services to encompass regulatory compliance and institutional-grade infrastructure for DeFi and Web3 applications.