> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.anchorage.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Atlas
> Use Atlas for peer-to-peer settlement with trusted counterparties.
Atlas (Anchorage Digital Trusted Liquidity and Settlement) enables institutions to mitigate counterparty risk and enhance capital efficiency through peer-to-peer settlement. All custody clients have access to Atlas.
## What is settlement, and why it matters
Settlement is the moment a trade actually completes — when each side delivers what it owes and the assets change hands. Between agreeing a trade and settling it, every party is exposed to **counterparty risk**: the chance the other side fails to deliver after you've already sent your funds.
The traditional way to reduce that risk is to pre-fund — move your assets onto an exchange or to the counterparty before you trade. That solves trust by giving up control: your assets sit off your balance sheet, outside custody, earning nothing and exposed to the venue's own risk. Inefficient settlement ties up capital and multiplies the places your assets can be lost.
Efficient settlement is the opposite: assets stay safe until the instant both sides are ready, then move together. Less capital tied up, less time exposed, fewer intermediaries.
## How Atlas makes settlement better
With Atlas, both counterparties settle directly from Anchorage Digital custody:
* **No pre-funding a third party.** Your assets never leave custody to sit on an exchange waiting to trade — they move only at settlement.
* **Both sides approve.** Two-sided settlements require quorum approval from each party, so neither side delivers unless the other is committed — removing the "who sends first" problem.
* **Efficient.** Once both parties approve and conditions are met, Atlas processes the settlement directly from custody.
* **Trusted counterparties.** Settle with the Anchorage Digital trading desks and a growing network of sell-side institutions, identified by participant ID.
To take advantage of advanced functionalities such as simultaneous two-way settlements, reach out to Anchorage Digital to sign up for **Atlas Plus**.
## Getting started with Atlas
Create your network participants.
Other network participants will use the ID to settle with your participants.
Search counterparties by participant ID and add them to your trusted counterparties.
Propose and/or accept settlements.
## Setting up participants
### Creating participants
Under **Directory**, go to **Your participants** and click on **+ Create participant**.
Your participant's name will be visible to other network participants when searching by your participant ID. If you wish to use a different name—such as your organization's DBA name—contact your client experience manager.
Select the account you would like to create a participant for. Specify the default settlement vault and wallets per network type, then click **Submit**.
Once created, you will see the list of accounts participating in the network and their corresponding participant IDs. Other counterparties will use this ID to find you and initiate settlements.
## Viewing & sharing participants
In the **Participants** tab, click the participant to see details such as the account name and status. Select **Set or edit** to change the default settlement vault and wallets as applicable.
## Trusted counterparties
Activate your participants for settlement with trusted counterparties, which include the Anchorage Digital trading desks and a growing list of other sell-side institutions.
**Anchorage Digital trading desk participant IDs:**
* Anchorage Hold: `8byj5hvj`
* A1, Ltd.: `7t7wa507`
### Adding a trusted counterparty
Under **Trusted counterparties** in the web dashboard, select **New trusted counterparty** to add participants.
Select the participant you would like to add as a trusted counterparty and search by their participant ID.
Add a description (optional) and select **Submit**. After selecting Submit, quorum approval will be required within the iOS app.
### Reviewing trusted counterparties
Review the status of your trusted counterparties in the **Trusted counterparties** section. Select the three dots to deactivate a counterparty if needed.
## Settling
Under **Settle**, click **+ New settlement** to add a new settlement.
You can submit settlement proposals to:
* **Send funds**
* **Receive funds**
* **Send and receive funds simultaneously** (Atlas Plus clients only)
Settlement proposals require quorum approval in the iOS app, per the vault default policy or withdrawal policy (if any). For **Receive funds** and **Send and receive funds** proposals, the counterparty is also required to submit quorum approval in their Anchorage Digital account.
Ensure that vaults and wallets involved in the transaction are funded and provisioned with sufficient gas for the settlement.
### Proposing a settlement
Select the participant from which you want to propose a settlement.
Search for the counterparty by their participant ID or select them from your list of trusted counterparties.
Select a vault and provide the details of the assets being transferred. Add a reference number (optional) and click **Continue**.
Review the transaction details and click **Propose settlement** to endorse the proposal in the iOS app.
Monitor the status of your proposal and take necessary actions. Ask the counterparty to review and accept the proposed settlement if needed.
The reference number will be visible to your counterparty.
### Accepting a settlement proposal
Settlement proposals received by your organization must be reviewed and approved. Approvals fall under the receiving vault's default quorum policy or withdrawal policy (if applicable).
Click **Review details** to check and confirm the details of the proposed settlement.
Review the settlement details and select a vault to receive the funds.
Proceed to the iOS app to submit your biometrics and await quorum approval.
Once both parties have submitted approval and all necessary conditions are met, the settlement transaction will be processed within one minute from approval to broadcast.
If your organization is only receiving funds and no funds are being sent to the counterparty, biometric approval is not required.
## Email notifications
Receive email notifications for settlement activity. Notification destinations can be configured at the organization level or for individual Atlas participant accounts.
Navigate to **Document delivery** in **Settings** to set up or update your distribution list for settlement network notifications.