Custody Controls Reference SDK

Even the best privacy L2 won't be adopted if institutional custody teams can't operate it. Current privacy solutions focus on cryptographic elegance but ignore "Day 2" operational requirements: key management, backup/recovery, segregation of duties, approval workflows, and audit logs. Custody teams at institutions have established processes; privacy solutions must integrate with them.

RFP: Custody Controls Reference SDK

Why It Matters

  • Bridges gap between "testnet demo" and "production deployment"
  • Addresses the #1 operational blocker for institutional adoption
  • Enables custody providers (Fireblocks, Ledger Enterprise) to build integrations
  • Provides reference for how privacy primitives map to custody controls

Scope

In-Scope

  • Reference SDK for shielded asset custody operations:
    • View key management: Generation, storage, rotation, revocation
    • Note management: Backup, recovery, sync across custodians
    • Policy-based approvals: 4-eyes principle, threshold signatures, time locks
    • Audit logging: Cryptographic linkage proofs without leaking private data
  • Integration adapter stubs for:
    • HSM key storage (PKCS#11 interface)
    • Institutional custody APIs (Fireblocks-style)
  • Disaster recovery procedures:
    • Key rotation under compromise
    • Note recovery from backup
    • Access revocation for departed employees

Out-of-Scope

  • Full custody platform implementation
  • Specific vendor integrations (provide stubs, not implementations)
  • Legal/compliance certification

Deliverables

  • Reference SDK (TypeScript/Rust) with documented APIs
  • View key lifecycle management module
  • Note backup/recovery module
  • Policy engine stub (approval workflows)
  • HSM adapter interface (PKCS#11 stub)
  • Operational runbook for custody teams

Dependencies

Requires:

  • Understanding of Aztec/privacy L2 note model
  • Input from institutional custody requirements

Enables:

  • Custody provider integrations
  • Institutional pilot deployments
  • Foundation for compliance workflows

See Also