Bistren cryptands can be easily synthesised through Schiff base condensation of two molecules of tren and three molecules of a dialdehyde, followed by hydrogenation of the six C=N double bonds to give octamine cages, whose ellipsoidal cavity can be varied at will, by choosing the appropriate dialdehyde, in order to include substrate of varying size and shape. Bistrens can operate as effective anion receptors in two ways: (i) in their protonated form, providing six secondary ammonium groups capable to establish with the anion hydrogen bonding interactions; (ii) as dicopper(II) cryptates, in which the two coordinatively unsaturated metal centres can be bridged by an ambidentate anion. Representative examples of the two approaches will be illustrated, as well as the design of an anion molecular dispenser, in which a dicopper(II) bistren cryptate acts as a bottle.