Onboarding Checklist: From Signup to First Trade
This guide walks you through the complete onboarding process for trading CBTC on Canton, from initial signup to your first live trade. Expected timeline: 1 to 2 weeks depending on your firm's readiness and chosen venue.
Step 1: Express Interest
Complete the CBTC Signup Form bitsafe.typeform.com/to/NsiwLKIY
This registers your firm's interest and triggers outreach from the BitSafe BD team. You will be contacted to discuss your trading goals, preferred venues, and technical requirements.
Step 2: Execute Agreements
Sign the MSA
Master Service Agreement (MSA): Standard commercial terms for using BitSafe services
KYC/AML: Complete any required compliance checks Contact [email protected] if you have questions about the agreements.
Step 3: Set Up a Canton Wallet
Choose and configure your wallet You need a Canton-compatible wallet to hold and transact with CBTC. Options for institutional traders:
Wallet
Type
Best For
Zoro
Self-custody
Firms wanting SDK/API access and full control
Console
Self-custody
Browser-based with clear signing and risk checks
Loop
Self-custody
Web-based, no extensions needed, open source SDK
Cantor8
Enterprise custody
Multi-signature security and regulatory compliance
For the full list of Canton wallets and SDK/API documentation, see the Canton DeFi Ecosystem guide.
Step 4: Acquire CBTC
Get CBTC into your wallet Two paths depending on your infrastructure:
Option A: OTC Purchase (fastest, no Canton node required)
Initiate a cross-chain CBTC swap with Trngle or an OTC purchase through Elk Capital
Ideal for firms without a Canton validator node
Contact Elk Capital for spread negotiation based on expected volume Option B: Direct Minting (requires Canton validator node)
Install the mint/burn software on your validator node
Call Rust APIs via cbtc-lib to mint CBTC directly from BTC
More cost-effective for high-volume operations
See the developer documentation at docs.bitsafe.finance/product-suite/cbtc for technical details
Step 5: Choose and Connect to a Venue
Select your trading venue and integrate See Selecting a Trading Venue for the full comparison. Quick summary:
Elk / Trngle (RFQ) - Institutional OTC, negotiable spreads, custom pairs
Temple Digital (CLOB) - Order book trading, 40% bonus reward share
Tradefast (AMM) - Uniswap V2 style, fastest integration
Bron - Intuitive interface, quick onboarding Each venue has its own API documentation and onboarding process. The BitSafe BD team will facilitate introductions.
Step 6: Start Trading
You are live.
Begin trading on your chosen venue
Every trade, swap, and lending transaction earns Canton Coin rewards
Rewards are transaction-count-based, not volume-based. High-frequency strategies earn more.
Review the Prop Desk Playbook for strategy recommendations Recommended first trades:
CBTC/USDXLR (primary pair, earns rewards from both assets)
CBTC/USDCx (familiar stable pairing)
CBTC/CC (Canton Coin exposure)
Questions?
Email: [email protected]
Common questions: See the FAQ for Trading Firms
Technical questions: See the developer documentation at docs.bitsafe.finance/product-suite/cbtc
ℹ️ Disclosures Target yields are not guaranteed. Canton Coin rewards depend on network activity, token economics, and market conditions. Strategies carry risk; conduct independent due diligence. CBTC is not available to US persons. This is not investment advice.
Last updated