# Key Roles

**Custodian:** Custodians are responsible for the secure storage of the underlying assets that back Universal tokens. They play a crucial role in ensuring the security and integrity of the protocol’s reserves.

**Merchant:** Merchants are permissioned entities that facilitate the minting and redemption of Universal assets. They ensure seamless liquidity movement across chains.\
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**User:** Users are the end participants in the Universal ecosystem, utilizing uAssets for transactions, trading, and DeFi interactions.

#### Summary Table of Key Roles

| Role      | Responsibilities                                                                 | Participants                     |
| --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| Custodian | Stores and secures underlying assets, manages collateral, ensures 1:1 backing    | Regulated institutions           |
| Merchant  | Mints and redeems uAssets, provides liquidity, facilitates cross-chain execution | Permissioned entities            |
| User      | Trades, transfers, and utilizes uAssets in DeFi                                  | Retail and institutional traders |

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td><strong>Custodian</strong></td><td></td><td><a href="key-roles/custodian">custodian</a></td></tr><tr><td></td><td><strong>Merchant</strong></td><td></td><td><a href="key-roles/merchant">merchant</a></td></tr><tr><td></td><td><strong>User</strong></td><td></td><td><a href="key-roles/user">user</a></td></tr></tbody></table>