Over-the-counter crypto trading,brokered.
A direct, broker-managed alternative to exchange order books — for clients placing trades that need discretion, custody planning and a quote before they commit.
A privately negotiated trade, executed off-exchange.
Over-the-counter (OTC) crypto trading is the buying or selling of digital assets directly between two parties, through a broker, rather than across a public exchange order book. Trades are negotiated, priced and settled privately — without the position appearing on a live order book.
OTC suits clients placing larger trades, where executing on-exchange would either move the market against them or attract unwanted visibility. Instead of filling against an order book, the broker sources liquidity, returns an indicative quote, and confirms the trade against agreed terms.
OTC and exchange trading are different tools for different jobs.See how broker-led OTC compares to self-serve exchanges.
Why route a large trade through a broker.
Five things an OTC desk does that an exchange order book does not.
Quote before commit— your broker returns an indicative price before you agree to the trade. No slippage from the market moving while your order fills.
Off-order-book execution— large trades placed on a public exchange move the price against you. OTC trades are negotiated privately and don't show on the live book.
Discretion as standard— your trade, your size and your identity stay between you, your broker and the counterparty. Nothing is published.
Custody handled, not assumed— settlement plans for where assets land, in which wallet, under whose control. Custody is part of the conversation, not an afterthought.
One named broker— the same person from the first call through to settlement. They know your portfolio, your treasury structure and the way you trade.
Built for clients trading at scale.
OTC is a fit when the structure behind the trade matters as much as the trade itself.
Discretion, custody planning and a single broker relationship across asset transitions.
Allocations onto balance sheet, with documentation suited to internal reporting and audit trail.
Trade execution that fits trustee responsibilities, custody arrangements and beneficiary structures.
From first call to settled trade.
Every OTC trade runs through the same four steps. Your broker walks you through each one.
Consultation
A broker discusses the trade — size, asset, settlement currency, custody preference and timing. No commitment, no obligation.
Indicative quote
Your broker sources liquidity and returns an indicative quote. You see the price, terms and settlement plan before you agree to anything.
Trade confirmation
If the quote works, your broker confirms the trade against agreed terms. You receive a written confirmation covering size, price, asset and settlement details.
Settlement
Assets settle into the wallet structure you've agreed with your broker — typically held via Fireblocks custody, or transferred to a self-custody address you control.
The infrastructure behind every Uptrade trade.
What our OTC clients say.
[Review headline]
[Real Trustpilot quote · OTC client where filterable · dev to wire live feed via Trustpilot widget API]
[Review headline]
[Real Trustpilot quote · OTC client where filterable · dev to wire live feed via Trustpilot widget API]
[Review headline]
[Real Trustpilot quote · OTC client where filterable · dev to wire live feed via Trustpilot widget API]
Common questions about OTC.
What is the minimum trade size?
[Minimum trade size pending client confirmation. Placeholder copy: OTC trades typically start from [$X]. Speak to a broker about your specific trade — smaller trades may still be a fit if discretion or custody planning is the driver.]
How does pricing work on an OTC trade?
Each trade is priced individually at the time of execution. Your broker sources liquidity and returns an indicative quote before you agree to the trade. You see the price and terms before committing.
How fast can a trade settle?
Most OTC trades settle the same business day once the quote is agreed and funds and assets are in position. Larger or more complex settlements — including those routed through trustee or corporate custody structures — may take longer to coordinate.
Which assets can I trade through Uptrade OTC?
Uptrade brokers across 500+ digital assets. Bitcoin, Ethereum and the major liquid assets settle most easily; less liquid assets may take longer to source and quote. Your broker confirms availability and timing before any trade.
How is confidentiality handled?
OTC trades are negotiated privately between you, your broker and the counterparty. The trade does not appear on any public order book. Client identity, trade size and terms are not shared externally.
Is Uptrade regulated?
Uptrade is registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange Provider (DCE100856266-001) and operates in compliance with its regulatory obligations. Client assets are custodied via Fireblocks.How a broker structurally differs from an exchange.
What else Uptrade does.
Other parts of the service that pair with an OTC trade.
Custody & security
How Uptrade structures custody, approval flows and asset protection for client portfolios.
Learn moreBroker vs exchange
Understand the structural difference between a broker-led trade and self-serve exchange execution.
Learn moreDigital assets
Explore the 500+ digital assets available through Uptrade’s broker-led service model.
Learn moreTalk to a broker before your next large trade.
Book a consultation with Uptrade and discuss size, timing, custody and settlement before you commit to anything.