# Custodians

Custodians are typically larger entities that have garnered substantial trust within the community, either through a democratic vote or by holding a significant, slashable stake. These are often reputable companies known for their secure, licensed gold storage facilities. The role of a Custodian is to securely hold large quantities of gold on behalf of the network, acting as the backbone of PGN's physical gold infrastructure. The trust placed in Custodians is paramount, given their handling of extensive gold reserves, and is reflective of their proven track record and the robustness of their security measures.
