diff --git a/node/bindnode/api.go b/node/bindnode/api.go
index a816cfce..278dd507 100644
--- a/node/bindnode/api.go
+++ b/node/bindnode/api.go
@@ -85,26 +85,38 @@ type converter struct {
 	customToAny   func(interface{}) (datamodel.Node, error)
 }
 
-type config map[reflect.Type]*converter
+type config struct {
+	namedConverters map[schema.TypeName]*converter
+	typeConverters  map[reflect.Type]*converter
+}
 
 // this mainly exists to short-circuit the nonPtrType() call; the `Type()` variant
 // exists for completeness
-func (c config) converterFor(val reflect.Value) *converter {
-	if len(c) == 0 {
+func (c *config) converterFor(typeName schema.TypeName, val reflect.Value) *converter {
+	if c == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
-	return c[nonPtrType(val)]
+
+	if namedConverter, ok := c.namedConverters[typeName]; ok {
+		return namedConverter
+	}
+
+	return c.typeConverters[nonPtrType(val)]
 }
 
-func (c config) converterForType(typ reflect.Type) *converter {
-	if len(c) == 0 {
+func (c *config) converterForType(typeName schema.TypeName, typ reflect.Type) *converter {
+	if c == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
-	return c[typ]
+	if namedConverter, ok := c.namedConverters[typeName]; ok {
+		return namedConverter
+	}
+
+	return c.typeConverters[typ]
 }
 
 // Option is able to apply custom options to the bindnode API
-type Option func(config)
+type Option func(*config)
 
 // TypedBoolConverter adds custom converter functions for a particular
 // type as identified by a pointer in the first argument.
@@ -121,8 +133,8 @@ func TypedBoolConverter(ptrVal interface{}, from func(bool) (interface{}, error)
 		customFromBool: from,
 		customToBool:   to,
 	}
-	return func(cfg config) {
-		cfg[customType] = converter
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.typeConverters[customType] = converter
 	}
 }
 
@@ -141,8 +153,8 @@ func TypedIntConverter(ptrVal interface{}, from func(int64) (interface{}, error)
 		customFromInt: from,
 		customToInt:   to,
 	}
-	return func(cfg config) {
-		cfg[customType] = converter
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.typeConverters[customType] = converter
 	}
 }
 
@@ -161,8 +173,8 @@ func TypedFloatConverter(ptrVal interface{}, from func(float64) (interface{}, er
 		customFromFloat: from,
 		customToFloat:   to,
 	}
-	return func(cfg config) {
-		cfg[customType] = converter
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.typeConverters[customType] = converter
 	}
 }
 
@@ -181,8 +193,8 @@ func TypedStringConverter(ptrVal interface{}, from func(string) (interface{}, er
 		customFromString: from,
 		customToString:   to,
 	}
-	return func(cfg config) {
-		cfg[customType] = converter
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.typeConverters[customType] = converter
 	}
 }
 
@@ -201,8 +213,8 @@ func TypedBytesConverter(ptrVal interface{}, from func([]byte) (interface{}, err
 		customFromBytes: from,
 		customToBytes:   to,
 	}
-	return func(cfg config) {
-		cfg[customType] = converter
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.typeConverters[customType] = converter
 	}
 }
 
@@ -225,8 +237,8 @@ func TypedLinkConverter(ptrVal interface{}, from func(cid.Cid) (interface{}, err
 		customFromLink: from,
 		customToLink:   to,
 	}
-	return func(cfg config) {
-		cfg[customType] = converter
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.typeConverters[customType] = converter
 	}
 }
 
@@ -248,18 +260,162 @@ func TypedAnyConverter(ptrVal interface{}, from func(datamodel.Node) (interface{
 		customFromAny: from,
 		customToAny:   to,
 	}
-	return func(cfg config) {
-		cfg[customType] = converter
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.typeConverters[customType] = converter
+	}
+}
+
+// NamedBoolConverter adds custom converter functions for given
+// named schema type.
+// The fromFunc is of the form: func(bool) (interface{}, error)
+// and toFunc is of the form: func(interface{}) (bool, error)
+// where interface{} is a pointer form of the type we are converting.
+//
+// NamedBoolConverter is an EXPERIMENTAL API and may be removed or
+// changed in a future release.
+func NamedBoolConverter(typeName schema.TypeName, from func(bool) (interface{}, error), to func(interface{}) (bool, error)) Option {
+	converter := &converter{
+		kind:           schema.TypeKind_Bool,
+		customFromBool: from,
+		customToBool:   to,
+	}
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.namedConverters[typeName] = converter
+	}
+}
+
+// NamedIntConverter adds custom converter functions for given
+// named schema type.
+// The fromFunc is of the form: func(int64) (interface{}, error)
+// and toFunc is of the form: func(interface{}) (int64, error)
+// where interface{} is a pointer form of the type we are converting.
+//
+// NamedIntConverter is an EXPERIMENTAL API and may be removed or
+// changed in a future release.
+func NamedIntConverter(typeName schema.TypeName, from func(int64) (interface{}, error), to func(interface{}) (int64, error)) Option {
+	converter := &converter{
+		kind:          schema.TypeKind_Int,
+		customFromInt: from,
+		customToInt:   to,
+	}
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.namedConverters[typeName] = converter
+	}
+}
+
+// NamedFloatConverter adds custom converter functions for given
+// named schema type.
+// The fromFunc is of the form: func(float64) (interface{}, error)
+// and toFunc is of the form: func(interface{}) (float64, error)
+// where interface{} is a pointer form of the type we are converting.
+//
+// NamedFloatConverter is an EXPERIMENTAL API and may be removed or
+// changed in a future release.
+func NamedFloatConverter(typeName schema.TypeName, from func(float64) (interface{}, error), to func(interface{}) (float64, error)) Option {
+	converter := &converter{
+		kind:            schema.TypeKind_Float,
+		customFromFloat: from,
+		customToFloat:   to,
+	}
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.namedConverters[typeName] = converter
+	}
+}
+
+// NamedStringConverter adds custom converter functions for given
+// named schema type.
+// The fromFunc is of the form: func(string) (interface{}, error)
+// and toFunc is of the form: func(interface{}) (string, error)
+// where interface{} is a pointer form of the type we are converting.
+//
+// NamedStringConverter is an EXPERIMENTAL API and may be removed or
+// changed in a future release.
+func NamedStringConverter(typeName schema.TypeName, from func(string) (interface{}, error), to func(interface{}) (string, error)) Option {
+	converter := &converter{
+		kind:             schema.TypeKind_String,
+		customFromString: from,
+		customToString:   to,
+	}
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.namedConverters[typeName] = converter
+	}
+}
+
+// NamedBytesConverter adds custom converter functions for given
+// named schema type.
+// The fromFunc is of the form: func([]byte) (interface{}, error)
+// and toFunc is of the form: func(interface{}) ([]byte, error)
+// where interface{} is a pointer form of the type we are converting.
+//
+// NamedBytesConverter is an EXPERIMENTAL API and may be removed or
+// changed in a future release.
+func NamedBytesConverter(typeName schema.TypeName, from func([]byte) (interface{}, error), to func(interface{}) ([]byte, error)) Option {
+	converter := &converter{
+		kind:            schema.TypeKind_Bytes,
+		customFromBytes: from,
+		customToBytes:   to,
+	}
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.namedConverters[typeName] = converter
+	}
+}
+
+// NamedLinkConverter adds custom converter functions for given
+// named schema type.
+// The fromFunc is of the form: func([]byte) (interface{}, error)
+// and toFunc is of the form: func(interface{}) ([]byte, error)
+// where interface{} is a pointer form of the type we are converting.
+//
+// Beware that this API is only compatible with cidlink.Link types in the data
+// model and may result in errors if attempting to convert from other
+// datamodel.Link types.
+//
+// NamedLinkConverter is an EXPERIMENTAL API and may be removed or
+// changed in a future release.
+func NamedLinkConverter(typeName schema.TypeName, from func(cid.Cid) (interface{}, error), to func(interface{}) (cid.Cid, error)) Option {
+	converter := &converter{
+		kind:           schema.TypeKind_Link,
+		customFromLink: from,
+		customToLink:   to,
+	}
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.namedConverters[typeName] = converter
+	}
+}
+
+// NamedAnyConverter adds custom converter functions for given
+// named schema type.
+// The fromFunc is of the form: func(datamodel.Node) (interface{}, error)
+// and toFunc is of the form: func(interface{}) (datamodel.Node, error)
+// where interface{} is a pointer form of the type we are converting.
+//
+// This method should be able to deal with all forms of Any and return an error
+// if the expected data forms don't match the expected.
+//
+// NamedAnyConverter is an EXPERIMENTAL API and may be removed or
+// changed in a future release.
+func NamedAnyConverter(typeName schema.TypeName, from func(datamodel.Node) (interface{}, error), to func(interface{}) (datamodel.Node, error)) Option {
+	converter := &converter{
+		kind:          schema.TypeKind_Any,
+		customFromAny: from,
+		customToAny:   to,
+	}
+	return func(cfg *config) {
+		cfg.namedConverters[typeName] = converter
 	}
 }
 
-func applyOptions(opt ...Option) config {
+func applyOptions(opt ...Option) *config {
 	if len(opt) == 0 {
 		// no need to allocate, we access it via converterFor and converterForType
 		// which are safe for nil maps
 		return nil
 	}
-	cfg := make(map[reflect.Type]*converter)
+	cfg := &config{
+		namedConverters: make(map[string]*converter),
+		typeConverters:  make(map[reflect.Type]*converter),
+	}
+
 	for _, o := range opt {
 		o(cfg)
 	}
diff --git a/node/bindnode/custom_test.go b/node/bindnode/custom_test.go
index adfc84b1..88105478 100644
--- a/node/bindnode/custom_test.go
+++ b/node/bindnode/custom_test.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package bindnode_test
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"encoding/hex"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"math/big"
 	"strings"
@@ -25,6 +26,8 @@ import (
 
 type BoolSubst int
 
+var errorDefault = errors.New("something went wrong")
+
 const (
 	BoolSubst_Yes = 100
 	BoolSubst_No  = -100
@@ -37,6 +40,10 @@ func BoolSubstFromBool(b bool) (interface{}, error) {
 	return BoolSubst_No, nil
 }
 
+func BoolSubstFromBoolError(b bool) (interface{}, error) {
+	return BoolSubst_No, errorDefault
+}
+
 func BoolToBoolSubst(b interface{}) (bool, error) {
 	bp, ok := b.(*BoolSubst)
 	if !ok {
@@ -51,6 +58,9 @@ func BoolToBoolSubst(b interface{}) (bool, error) {
 		return true, fmt.Errorf("bad BoolSubst")
 	}
 }
+func BoolToBoolSubstError(b interface{}) (bool, error) {
+	return false, errorDefault
+}
 
 type IntSubst string
 
@@ -63,6 +73,10 @@ func IntSubstFromInt(i int64) (interface{}, error) {
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("unexpected value of IntSubst")
 }
 
+func IntSubstFromIntError(i int64) (interface{}, error) {
+	return nil, errorDefault
+}
+
 func IntToIntSubst(i interface{}) (int64, error) {
 	ip, ok := i.(*IntSubst)
 	if !ok {
@@ -78,6 +92,10 @@ func IntToIntSubst(i interface{}) (int64, error) {
 	}
 }
 
+func IntToIntSubstError(i interface{}) (int64, error) {
+	return 0, errorDefault
+}
+
 type BigFloat struct{ *big.Float }
 
 func BigFloatFromFloat(f float64) (interface{}, error) {
@@ -85,6 +103,10 @@ func BigFloatFromFloat(f float64) (interface{}, error) {
 	return &BigFloat{bf}, nil
 }
 
+func BigFloatFromFloatError(f float64) (interface{}, error) {
+	return nil, errorDefault
+}
+
 func FloatFromBigFloat(f interface{}) (float64, error) {
 	fp, ok := f.(*BigFloat)
 	if !ok {
@@ -94,6 +116,10 @@ func FloatFromBigFloat(f interface{}) (float64, error) {
 	return f64, nil
 }
 
+func FloatFromBigFloatError(f interface{}) (float64, error) {
+	return 0, errorDefault
+}
+
 type ByteArray [][]byte
 
 func ByteArrayFromString(s string) (interface{}, error) {
@@ -105,6 +131,10 @@ func ByteArrayFromString(s string) (interface{}, error) {
 	return ba, nil
 }
 
+func ByteArrayFromStringError(s string) (interface{}, error) {
+	return nil, errorDefault
+}
+
 func StringFromByteArray(b interface{}) (string, error) {
 	bap, ok := b.(*ByteArray)
 	if !ok {
@@ -120,6 +150,10 @@ func StringFromByteArray(b interface{}) (string, error) {
 	return sb.String(), nil
 }
 
+func StringFromByteArrayError(b interface{}) (string, error) {
+	return "", errorDefault
+}
+
 // similar to cid/Cid, go-address/Address, go-graphsync/RequestID
 type Boop struct{ str string }
 
@@ -177,6 +211,10 @@ func BoopFromBytes(b []byte) (interface{}, error) {
 	return NewBoop(b), nil
 }
 
+func BoopFromBytesError(b []byte) (interface{}, error) {
+	return nil, errorDefault
+}
+
 func BoopToBytes(iface interface{}) ([]byte, error) {
 	if boop, ok := iface.(*Boop); ok {
 		return boop.Bytes(), nil
@@ -184,10 +222,18 @@ func BoopToBytes(iface interface{}) ([]byte, error) {
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("did not get expected type")
 }
 
+func BoopToBytesError(iface interface{}) ([]byte, error) {
+	return nil, errorDefault
+}
+
 func FropFromBytes(b []byte) (interface{}, error) {
 	return NewFropFromBytes(b), nil
 }
 
+func FropFromBytesError(b []byte) (interface{}, error) {
+	return nil, errorDefault
+}
+
 func FropToBytes(iface interface{}) ([]byte, error) {
 	if frop, ok := iface.(*Frop); ok {
 		return frop.Bytes(), nil
@@ -195,6 +241,10 @@ func FropToBytes(iface interface{}) ([]byte, error) {
 	return nil, fmt.Errorf("did not get expected type")
 }
 
+func FropToBytesError(iface interface{}) ([]byte, error) {
+	return nil, errorDefault
+}
+
 // Bitcoin's version of "links" is a hex form of the dbl-sha2-256 digest reversed
 type BtcId string
 
@@ -214,6 +264,10 @@ func FromCidToBtcId(c cid.Cid) (interface{}, error) {
 	return BtcId(hex.EncodeToString(hid)), nil
 }
 
+func FromCidToBtcIdError(c cid.Cid) (interface{}, error) {
+	return BtcId(""), errorDefault
+}
+
 func FromBtcIdToCid(iface interface{}) (cid.Cid, error) {
 	bid, ok := iface.(*BtcId)
 	if !ok {
@@ -234,6 +288,10 @@ func FromBtcIdToCid(iface interface{}) (cid.Cid, error) {
 	return cid.NewCidV1(cid.BitcoinBlock, mh), nil
 }
 
+func FromBtcIdToCidError(iface interface{}) (cid.Cid, error) {
+	return cid.Undef, errorDefault
+}
+
 type Boom struct {
 	S    string
 	St   ByteArray
@@ -248,17 +306,25 @@ type Boom struct {
 }
 
 const boomSchema = `
+type ByteArray string
+type Boop bytes
+type BoolSubst bool
+type Frop bytes
+type BigFloat float
+type IntSubst int
+type BtcId &Any
+
 type Boom struct {
 	S String
-	St String
-	B Bytes
-	Bo Bool
-	Bptr nullable Bytes
-	F Bytes
-	Fl Float
-	I Int
-	In Int
-	L &Any
+	St   ByteArray
+	B    Boop
+	Bo   BoolSubst
+	Bptr nullable Boop
+	F    Frop
+	Fl   BigFloat
+	I    Int
+	In   IntSubst
+	L    BtcId
 } representation map
 `
 
@@ -316,6 +382,53 @@ func TestCustom(t *testing.T) {
 	qt.Assert(t, buf.String(), qt.Equals, boomFixtureDagJson)
 }
 
+func TestCustomNamed(t *testing.T) {
+	opts := []bindnode.Option{
+		bindnode.NamedBytesConverter("Boop", BoopFromBytes, BoopToBytes),
+		bindnode.NamedBytesConverter("Frop", FropFromBytes, FropToBytes),
+		bindnode.NamedBoolConverter("BoolSubst", BoolSubstFromBool, BoolToBoolSubst),
+		bindnode.NamedIntConverter("IntSubst", IntSubstFromInt, IntToIntSubst),
+		bindnode.NamedFloatConverter("BigFloat", BigFloatFromFloat, FloatFromBigFloat),
+		bindnode.NamedStringConverter("ByteArray", ByteArrayFromString, StringFromByteArray),
+		bindnode.NamedLinkConverter("BtcId", FromCidToBtcId, FromBtcIdToCid),
+		// these will error, but shouldn't get called cause the named converters take precedence
+		bindnode.TypedBytesConverter(&Boop{}, BoopFromBytesError, BoopToBytesError),
+		bindnode.TypedBytesConverter(&Frop{}, FropFromBytesError, FropToBytesError),
+		bindnode.TypedBoolConverter(BoolSubst(0), BoolSubstFromBoolError, BoolToBoolSubstError),
+		bindnode.TypedIntConverter(IntSubst(""), IntSubstFromIntError, IntToIntSubstError),
+		bindnode.TypedFloatConverter(&BigFloat{}, BigFloatFromFloatError, FloatFromBigFloatError),
+		bindnode.TypedStringConverter(&ByteArray{}, ByteArrayFromStringError, StringFromByteArrayError),
+		bindnode.TypedLinkConverter(BtcId(""), FromCidToBtcIdError, FromBtcIdToCidError),
+	}
+
+	typeSystem, err := ipld.LoadSchemaBytes([]byte(boomSchema))
+	qt.Assert(t, err, qt.IsNil)
+	schemaType := typeSystem.TypeByName("Boom")
+	proto := bindnode.Prototype(&Boom{}, schemaType, opts...)
+
+	builder := proto.Representation().NewBuilder()
+	err = dagjson.Decode(builder, bytes.NewReader([]byte(boomFixtureDagJson)))
+	qt.Assert(t, err, qt.IsNil)
+
+	typ := bindnode.Unwrap(builder.Build())
+	inst, ok := typ.(*Boom)
+	qt.Assert(t, ok, qt.IsTrue)
+
+	cmpr := qt.CmpEquals(
+		cmp.Comparer(func(x, y Boop) bool { return x.String() == y.String() }),
+		cmp.Comparer(func(x, y Frop) bool { return x.String() == y.String() }),
+		cmp.Comparer(func(x, y BigFloat) bool { return x.String() == y.String() }),
+	)
+	qt.Assert(t, *inst, cmpr, boomFixtureInstance)
+
+	tn := bindnode.Wrap(inst, schemaType, opts...)
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	err = dagjson.Encode(tn.Representation(), &buf)
+	qt.Assert(t, err, qt.IsNil)
+
+	qt.Assert(t, buf.String(), qt.Equals, boomFixtureDagJson)
+}
+
 type AnyExtend struct {
 	Name         string
 	Blob         AnyExtendBlob
@@ -533,3 +646,113 @@ func mustFromHex(hexStr string) []byte {
 	}
 	return byt
 }
+
+type ClosedUnion interface {
+	isClosedUnion()
+}
+
+type intUnion uint64
+
+func (intUnion) isClosedUnion() {}
+
+type stringUnion string
+
+func (stringUnion) isClosedUnion() {}
+
+func ClosedUnionFromNode(node datamodel.Node) (interface{}, error) {
+	asInt, err := node.AsInt()
+	if err == nil {
+		return intUnion(asInt), nil
+	}
+	asString, err := node.AsString()
+	if err == nil {
+		return stringUnion(asString), nil
+	}
+	return nil, errors.New("unrecognized type")
+}
+
+func ClosedUnionToNode(val interface{}) (datamodel.Node, error) {
+	cu, ok := val.(*ClosedUnion)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, errors.New("should be a ClosedUnion")
+	}
+	switch concrete := (*cu).(type) {
+	case intUnion:
+		return basicnode.NewInt(int64(concrete)), nil
+	case stringUnion:
+		return basicnode.NewString(string(concrete)), nil
+	default:
+		return nil, errors.New("unexpected union type")
+	}
+}
+
+type StructWithUnion struct {
+	Cu ClosedUnion
+}
+
+const closedUnionSchema = `
+type ClosedUnion any
+
+type StructWithUnion struct {
+  cu ClosedUnion
+}
+`
+
+const closedUnionFixtureIntDagJson = `{"cu":8}`
+const closedUnionFixtureStringDagJson = `{"cu":"happy"}`
+
+var closedUnionIntInst = StructWithUnion{
+	Cu: intUnion(8),
+}
+var closedUnionStringInst = StructWithUnion{
+	Cu: stringUnion("happy"),
+}
+
+func TestCustomAnyWithInterface(t *testing.T) {
+	opts := []bindnode.Option{
+		bindnode.NamedAnyConverter("ClosedUnion", ClosedUnionFromNode, ClosedUnionToNode),
+	}
+
+	typeSystem, err := ipld.LoadSchemaBytes([]byte(closedUnionSchema))
+	qt.Assert(t, err, qt.IsNil)
+	schemaType := typeSystem.TypeByName("StructWithUnion")
+	proto := bindnode.Prototype(&StructWithUnion{}, schemaType, opts...)
+
+	// test one union variant
+	builder := proto.Representation().NewBuilder()
+	err = dagjson.Decode(builder, bytes.NewReader([]byte(closedUnionFixtureIntDagJson)))
+	qt.Assert(t, err, qt.IsNil)
+
+	typ := bindnode.Unwrap(builder.Build())
+	inst, ok := typ.(*StructWithUnion)
+	qt.Assert(t, ok, qt.IsTrue)
+
+	cmpr := qt.CmpEquals()
+	qt.Assert(t, *inst, cmpr, closedUnionIntInst)
+
+	tn := bindnode.Wrap(inst, schemaType, opts...)
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	err = dagjson.Encode(tn.Representation(), &buf)
+	qt.Assert(t, err, qt.IsNil)
+
+	qt.Assert(t, buf.String(), qt.Equals, closedUnionFixtureIntDagJson)
+
+	// test other union variant
+	builder = proto.Representation().NewBuilder()
+	err = dagjson.Decode(builder, bytes.NewReader([]byte(closedUnionFixtureStringDagJson)))
+	qt.Assert(t, err, qt.IsNil)
+
+	typ = bindnode.Unwrap(builder.Build())
+	inst, ok = typ.(*StructWithUnion)
+	qt.Assert(t, ok, qt.IsTrue)
+
+	cmpr = qt.CmpEquals()
+	qt.Assert(t, *inst, cmpr, closedUnionStringInst)
+
+	tn = bindnode.Wrap(inst, schemaType, opts...)
+	buf = bytes.Buffer{}
+	err = dagjson.Encode(tn.Representation(), &buf)
+	qt.Assert(t, err, qt.IsNil)
+
+	qt.Assert(t, buf.String(), qt.Equals, closedUnionFixtureStringDagJson)
+}
diff --git a/node/bindnode/infer.go b/node/bindnode/infer.go
index 6b1c4849..9982397c 100644
--- a/node/bindnode/infer.go
+++ b/node/bindnode/infer.go
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ type seenEntry struct {
 // verifyCompatibility doesn't return an error, it panics—the errors here are
 // not runtime errors, they're programmer errors because your schema doesn't
 // match your Go type
-func verifyCompatibility(cfg config, seen map[seenEntry]bool, goType reflect.Type, schemaType schema.Type) {
+func verifyCompatibility(cfg *config, seen map[seenEntry]bool, goType reflect.Type, schemaType schema.Type) {
 	// TODO(mvdan): support **T as well?
 	if goType.Kind() == reflect.Ptr {
 		goType = goType.Elem()
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ func verifyCompatibility(cfg config, seen map[seenEntry]bool, goType reflect.Typ
 	}
 	switch schemaType := schemaType.(type) {
 	case *schema.TypeBool:
-		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(goType); customConverter != nil {
+		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(schemaType.Name(), goType); customConverter != nil {
 			if customConverter.kind != schema.TypeKind_Bool {
 				doPanic("kind mismatch; custom converter for type is not for Bool")
 			}
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func verifyCompatibility(cfg config, seen map[seenEntry]bool, goType reflect.Typ
 			doPanic("kind mismatch; need boolean")
 		}
 	case *schema.TypeInt:
-		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(goType); customConverter != nil {
+		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(schemaType.Name(), goType); customConverter != nil {
 			if customConverter.kind != schema.TypeKind_Int {
 				doPanic("kind mismatch; custom converter for type is not for Int")
 			}
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func verifyCompatibility(cfg config, seen map[seenEntry]bool, goType reflect.Typ
 			doPanic("kind mismatch; need integer")
 		}
 	case *schema.TypeFloat:
-		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(goType); customConverter != nil {
+		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(schemaType.Name(), goType); customConverter != nil {
 			if customConverter.kind != schema.TypeKind_Float {
 				doPanic("kind mismatch; custom converter for type is not for Float")
 			}
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ func verifyCompatibility(cfg config, seen map[seenEntry]bool, goType reflect.Typ
 		}
 	case *schema.TypeString:
 		// TODO: allow []byte?
-		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(goType); customConverter != nil {
+		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(schemaType.Name(), goType); customConverter != nil {
 			if customConverter.kind != schema.TypeKind_String {
 				doPanic("kind mismatch; custom converter for type is not for String")
 			}
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ func verifyCompatibility(cfg config, seen map[seenEntry]bool, goType reflect.Typ
 		}
 	case *schema.TypeBytes:
 		// TODO: allow string?
-		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(goType); customConverter != nil {
+		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(schemaType.Name(), goType); customConverter != nil {
 			if customConverter.kind != schema.TypeKind_Bytes {
 				doPanic("kind mismatch; custom converter for type is not for Bytes")
 			}
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ func verifyCompatibility(cfg config, seen map[seenEntry]bool, goType reflect.Typ
 				}
 			case schemaField.IsNullable():
 				if ptr, nilable := ptrOrNilable(goType.Kind()); !nilable {
-					if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(goType); customConverter == nil {
+					if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(schemaType.Name(), goType); customConverter == nil {
 						doPanic("nullable fields must be nilable")
 					}
 				} else if ptr {
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ func verifyCompatibility(cfg config, seen map[seenEntry]bool, goType reflect.Typ
 			verifyCompatibility(cfg, seen, goType, schemaType)
 		}
 	case *schema.TypeLink:
-		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(goType); customConverter != nil {
+		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(schemaType.Name(), goType); customConverter != nil {
 			if customConverter.kind != schema.TypeKind_Link {
 				doPanic("kind mismatch; custom converter for type is not for Link")
 			}
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ func verifyCompatibility(cfg config, seen map[seenEntry]bool, goType reflect.Typ
 			doPanic("links in Go must be datamodel.Link, cidlink.Link, or cid.Cid")
 		}
 	case *schema.TypeAny:
-		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(goType); customConverter != nil {
+		if customConverter := cfg.converterForType(schemaType.Name(), goType); customConverter != nil {
 			if customConverter.kind != schema.TypeKind_Any {
 				doPanic("kind mismatch; custom converter for type is not for Any")
 			}
diff --git a/node/bindnode/node.go b/node/bindnode/node.go
index 1c0c3280..20a86550 100644
--- a/node/bindnode/node.go
+++ b/node/bindnode/node.go
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ var (
 )
 
 type _prototype struct {
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType schema.Type
 	goType     reflect.Type // non-pointer
 }
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func (w *_prototype) Representation() datamodel.NodePrototype {
 }
 
 type _node struct {
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType schema.Type
 
 	val reflect.Value // non-pointer
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ type _node struct {
 // 	_node
 // }
 
-func newNode(cfg config, schemaType schema.Type, val reflect.Value) schema.TypedNode {
+func newNode(cfg *config, schemaType schema.Type, val reflect.Value) schema.TypedNode {
 	if schemaType.TypeKind() == schema.TypeKind_Int && nonPtrVal(val).Kind() == reflect.Uint64 {
 		// special case for uint64 values so we can handle the >int64 range
 		// we give this treatment to all uint64s, regardless of current value
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ func (w *_node) LookupByString(key string) (datamodel.Node, error) {
 			}
 		}
 		if _, ok := field.Type().(*schema.TypeAny); ok {
-			if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(fval); customConverter != nil {
+			if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(field.Type().Name(), fval); customConverter != nil {
 				// field is an Any and we have a custom type converter for the type
 				return customConverter.customToAny(ptrVal(fval).Interface())
 			}
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ func (w *_node) LookupByString(key string) (datamodel.Node, error) {
 			fval = fval.Elem()
 		}
 		if _, ok := typ.ValueType().(*schema.TypeAny); ok {
-			if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(fval); customConverter != nil {
+			if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(typ.ValueType().Name(), fval); customConverter != nil {
 				// value is an Any and we have a custom type converter for the type
 				return customConverter.customToAny(ptrVal(fval).Interface())
 			}
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ func (w *_node) LookupByIndex(idx int64) (datamodel.Node, error) {
 		val = val.Index(int(idx))
 		_, isAny := typ.ValueType().(*schema.TypeAny)
 		if isAny {
-			if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(val); customConverter != nil {
+			if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(typ.ValueType().Name(), val); customConverter != nil {
 				// values are Any and we have a converter for this type that will give us
 				// a datamodel.Node
 				return customConverter.customToAny(ptrVal(val).Interface())
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ func (w *_node) AsBool() (bool, error) {
 	if err := compatibleKind(w.schemaType, datamodel.Kind_Bool); err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
-	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val); customConverter != nil {
+	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val); customConverter != nil {
 		// user has registered a converter that takes the underlying type and returns a bool
 		return customConverter.customToBool(ptrVal(w.val).Interface())
 	}
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ func (w *_node) AsInt() (int64, error) {
 	if err := compatibleKind(w.schemaType, datamodel.Kind_Int); err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
-	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val); customConverter != nil {
+	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val); customConverter != nil {
 		// user has registered a converter that takes the underlying type and returns an int
 		return customConverter.customToInt(ptrVal(w.val).Interface())
 	}
@@ -516,7 +516,7 @@ func (w *_node) AsFloat() (float64, error) {
 	if err := compatibleKind(w.schemaType, datamodel.Kind_Float); err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
-	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val); customConverter != nil {
+	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val); customConverter != nil {
 		// user has registered a converter that takes the underlying type and returns a float
 		return customConverter.customToFloat(ptrVal(w.val).Interface())
 	}
@@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ func (w *_node) AsString() (string, error) {
 	if err := compatibleKind(w.schemaType, datamodel.Kind_String); err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
-	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val); customConverter != nil {
+	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val); customConverter != nil {
 		// user has registered a converter that takes the underlying type and returns a string
 		return customConverter.customToString(ptrVal(w.val).Interface())
 	}
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ func (w *_node) AsBytes() ([]byte, error) {
 	if err := compatibleKind(w.schemaType, datamodel.Kind_Bytes); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val); customConverter != nil {
+	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val); customConverter != nil {
 		// user has registered a converter that takes the underlying type and returns a []byte
 		return customConverter.customToBytes(ptrVal(w.val).Interface())
 	}
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ func (w *_node) AsLink() (datamodel.Link, error) {
 	if err := compatibleKind(w.schemaType, datamodel.Kind_Link); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val); customConverter != nil {
+	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val); customConverter != nil {
 		// user has registered a converter that takes the underlying type and returns a cid.Cid
 		cid, err := customConverter.customToLink(ptrVal(w.val).Interface())
 		if err != nil {
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ func (w *_builder) Reset() {
 }
 
 type _assembler struct {
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType schema.Type
 	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
 
@@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ func (w *_assembler) BeginMap(sizeHint int64) (datamodel.MapAssembler, error) {
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		converter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val)
+		converter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val)
 		return &basicMapAssembler{MapAssembler: mapAsm, builder: basicBuilder, parent: w, converter: converter}, nil
 	case *schema.TypeStruct:
 		val := w.createNonPtrVal()
@@ -758,7 +758,7 @@ func (w *_assembler) BeginList(sizeHint int64) (datamodel.ListAssembler, error)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		converter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val)
+		converter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val)
 		return &basicListAssembler{ListAssembler: listAsm, builder: basicBuilder, parent: w, converter: converter}, nil
 	case *schema.TypeList:
 		// we should be able to safely assume we're dealing with a Go slice here,
@@ -781,7 +781,7 @@ func (w *_assembler) BeginList(sizeHint int64) (datamodel.ListAssembler, error)
 
 func (w *_assembler) AssignNull() error {
 	_, isAny := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeAny)
-	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val); customConverter != nil && isAny {
+	if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val); customConverter != nil && isAny {
 		// an Any field that is being assigned a Null, we pass the Null directly to
 		// the converter, regardless of whether this field is nullable or not
 		typ, err := customConverter.customFromAny(datamodel.Null)
@@ -812,7 +812,7 @@ func (w *_assembler) AssignBool(b bool) error {
 	if err := compatibleKind(w.schemaType, datamodel.Kind_Bool); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val)
+	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val)
 	_, isAny := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeAny)
 	if customConverter != nil {
 		var typ interface{}
@@ -881,7 +881,7 @@ func (w *_assembler) AssignInt(i int64) error {
 		return err
 	}
 	// TODO: check for overflow
-	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val)
+	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val)
 	_, isAny := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeAny)
 	if customConverter != nil {
 		var typ interface{}
@@ -926,7 +926,7 @@ func (w *_assembler) AssignFloat(f float64) error {
 	if err := compatibleKind(w.schemaType, datamodel.Kind_Float); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val)
+	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val)
 	_, isAny := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeAny)
 	if customConverter != nil {
 		var typ interface{}
@@ -965,7 +965,7 @@ func (w *_assembler) AssignString(s string) error {
 	if err := compatibleKind(w.schemaType, datamodel.Kind_String); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val)
+	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val)
 	_, isAny := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeAny)
 	if customConverter != nil {
 		var typ interface{}
@@ -1004,7 +1004,7 @@ func (w *_assembler) AssignBytes(p []byte) error {
 	if err := compatibleKind(w.schemaType, datamodel.Kind_Bytes); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val)
+	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val)
 	_, isAny := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeAny)
 	if customConverter != nil {
 		var typ interface{}
@@ -1042,7 +1042,7 @@ func (w *_assembler) AssignBytes(p []byte) error {
 func (w *_assembler) AssignLink(link datamodel.Link) error {
 	val := w.createNonPtrVal()
 	// TODO: newVal.Type() panics if link==nil; add a test and fix.
-	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.val)
+	customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.Name(), w.val)
 	if _, ok := w.schemaType.(*schema.TypeAny); ok {
 		if customConverter != nil {
 			// field is an Any, so the converter will be an Any converter that wants
@@ -1118,7 +1118,7 @@ func (w *_assembler) Prototype() datamodel.NodePrototype {
 type _structAssembler struct {
 	// TODO: embed _assembler?
 
-	cfg config
+	cfg *config
 
 	schemaType *schema.TypeStruct
 	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
@@ -1245,7 +1245,7 @@ func (w _errorAssembler) Prototype() datamodel.NodePrototype               { ret
 // used for Maps which we can assume are of type: struct{Keys []string, Values map[x]y},
 // where we have Keys in keysVal and Values in valuesVal
 type _mapAssembler struct {
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType *schema.TypeMap
 	keysVal    reflect.Value // non-pointer
 	valuesVal  reflect.Value // non-pointer
@@ -1311,7 +1311,7 @@ func (w *_mapAssembler) ValuePrototype(k string) datamodel.NodePrototype {
 
 // _listAssembler is for operating directly on slices, which we have in val
 type _listAssembler struct {
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType *schema.TypeList
 	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
 	finish     func() error
@@ -1345,7 +1345,7 @@ func (w *_listAssembler) ValuePrototype(idx int64) datamodel.NodePrototype {
 // when assembling as a Map but we anticipate a single value, which we need to
 // look up in the union members
 type _unionAssembler struct {
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType *schema.TypeUnion
 	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
 	finish     func() error
@@ -1434,7 +1434,7 @@ func (w *_unionAssembler) ValuePrototype(k string) datamodel.NodePrototype {
 // should match the schema for this type.
 type _structIterator struct {
 	// TODO: support embedded fields?
-	cfg config
+	cfg *config
 
 	schemaType *schema.TypeStruct
 	fields     []schema.StructField
@@ -1463,7 +1463,7 @@ func (w *_structIterator) Next() (key, value datamodel.Node, _ error) {
 	}
 	_, isAny := field.Type().(*schema.TypeAny)
 	if isAny {
-		if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(val); customConverter != nil {
+		if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(field.Type().Name(), val); customConverter != nil {
 			// field is an Any and we have an Any converter which takes the underlying
 			// struct field value and returns a datamodel.Node
 			v, err := customConverter.customToAny(ptrVal(val).Interface())
@@ -1495,7 +1495,7 @@ func (w *_structIterator) Done() bool {
 // _mapIterator is for iterating over a struct{Keys []string, Values map[x]y},
 // where we have the Keys in keysVal and Values in valuesVal
 type _mapIterator struct {
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType *schema.TypeMap
 	keysVal    reflect.Value // non-pointer
 	valuesVal  reflect.Value // non-pointer
@@ -1513,7 +1513,7 @@ func (w *_mapIterator) Next() (key, value datamodel.Node, _ error) {
 	key = newNode(w.cfg, w.schemaType.KeyType(), goKey)
 	_, isAny := w.schemaType.ValueType().(*schema.TypeAny)
 	if isAny {
-		if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(val); customConverter != nil {
+		if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.ValueType().Name(), val); customConverter != nil {
 			// values of this map are Any and we have an Any converter which takes the
 			// underlying map value and returns a datamodel.Node
 
@@ -1543,7 +1543,7 @@ func (w *_mapIterator) Done() bool {
 
 // _listIterator is for iterating over slices, which is held in val
 type _listIterator struct {
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType *schema.TypeList
 	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
 	nextIndex  int
@@ -1563,7 +1563,7 @@ func (w *_listIterator) Next() (index int64, value datamodel.Node, _ error) {
 		val = val.Elem() // nullable values are pointers
 	}
 	if _, ok := w.schemaType.ValueType().(*schema.TypeAny); ok {
-		if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(val); customConverter != nil {
+		if customConverter := w.cfg.converterFor(w.schemaType.ValueType().Name(), val); customConverter != nil {
 			// values are Any and we have an Any converter which can take whatever
 			// the underlying Go type in this slice is and return a datamodel.Node
 			val, err := customConverter.customToAny(ptrVal(val).Interface())
@@ -1581,7 +1581,7 @@ func (w *_listIterator) Done() bool {
 
 type _unionIterator struct {
 	// TODO: support embedded fields?
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType *schema.TypeUnion
 	members    []schema.Type
 	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
@@ -1615,7 +1615,7 @@ func (w *_unionIterator) Done() bool {
 // --- uint64 special case handling
 
 type _uintNode struct {
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType schema.Type
 
 	val reflect.Value // non-pointer
@@ -1722,7 +1722,7 @@ func (tu *_uintNodeRepr) AsInt() (int64, error) {
 	if err := compatibleKind(tu.schemaType, datamodel.Kind_Int); err != nil {
 		return 0, err
 	}
-	if customConverter := tu.cfg.converterFor(tu.val); customConverter != nil {
+	if customConverter := tu.cfg.converterFor(tu.schemaType.Name(), tu.val); customConverter != nil {
 		// user has registered a converter that takes the underlying type and returns an int
 		return customConverter.customToInt(ptrVal(tu.val).Interface())
 	}
diff --git a/node/bindnode/repr.go b/node/bindnode/repr.go
index 3c08a2b8..00805bf1 100644
--- a/node/bindnode/repr.go
+++ b/node/bindnode/repr.go
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ func (w *_nodeRepr) lengthMinusAbsents() int64 {
 
 type _tupleIteratorRepr struct {
 	// TODO: support embedded fields?
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType *schema.TypeStruct
 	fields     []schema.StructField
 	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ func (w *_tupleIteratorRepr) Done() bool {
 }
 
 type _listpairsIteratorRepr struct {
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType *schema.TypeStruct
 	fields     []schema.StructField
 	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ func (w *_builderRepr) Reset() {
 }
 
 type _assemblerRepr struct {
-	cfg        config
+	cfg        *config
 	schemaType schema.Type
 	val        reflect.Value // non-pointer
 	finish     func() error