Evertas, a cryptocurrency insurer based in London, has received authorization from Arch Insurance International to raise the coverage limit for a single insurance policy to $420 million.
This milestone, according to Evertas, represents the highest coverage limit in the industry for custodians or exchanges. The decision is significant as it comes at a time when the crypto sector has faced challenges due to the collapse of major market players like FTX, and it aims to alleviate concerns surrounding hacks and thefts that have plagued the industry. Currently, only a small percentage, estimated at 2-3%, of global crypto assets are insured.
J. Gdanski, the CEO of Evertas, stated,
This is the largest policy that can be offered by a single insurance company. Many other press releases may mention figures like $500 million or even a billion, but those programs typically require the approval of multiple underwriters.
This $420 million coverage applies specifically to crime-related policies involving the theft of private keys held by custodians, which are entities such as Coinbase Exchange and Binance. Private keys are codes used to authorize transactions and prove ownership. Previously, Evertas had a maximum coverage limit of $5 million for a single policy.
Coverholder
Evertas operates as a “coverholder” under Lloyd’s of London, providing insurance for custodians with private keys. As a cover holder, Evertas possesses specialized technical knowledge and is relied upon by international insurers, including Arch, to assess and underwrite complex risks associated with cryptocurrencies. In February of the previous year, Evertas became part of the Lloyd’s of London marketplace.
Moreover, Evertas has also been granted authorization by Arch to offer insurance coverage for crypto mining hardware, with a maximum coverage limit of $200 million. This represents the largest single policy coverage in this area.
According to a report by blockchain analysis firm TRM Labs, the first quarter of this year witnessed crypto losses from thefts and hacks amounting to $400 million. This follows the losses of approximately $3.7 billion in the crypto space in 2022.
Gdanski highlighted the significance of having a $200 million program, stating,
This is particularly important for mining operations since they typically have large facilities with substantial equipment, and this larger policy size provides greater protection.
Gdanski further emphasized that the insurance industry, a traditionally conservative sector, is recognizing the potential of insuring this emerging space due to the growing business and demand.
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