Citi crypto custody service is slated for a 2026 launch and will provide institutional custody by holding client coins and tokens on behalf of asset managers and other clients. The offering aims to deliver regulated, bank-grade custody infrastructure to mainstream institutional investors.
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Institutional custody launch in 2026:
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Citi plans to hold digital coins and tokens for clients, targeting asset managers and institutional counterparties.
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Move follows broader Wall Street momentum after SEC approvals of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs and coordinated bank exploration of reserve-backed digital money.
Citi crypto custody service: Citi plans a 2026 launch to hold client coins and tokens for institutional clients. Read COINOTAG for details. More in COINOTAG.
Author: COINOTAG • Published: 2025-10-13 • Updated: 2025-10-13
What is Citi’s crypto custody service?
Citi crypto custody service is a planned institutional product that will let the bank hold digital coins and tokens on behalf of clients. The service is intended to deliver regulated, bank-level safekeeping and operational controls tailored for asset managers, custodial banks, and corporate treasury clients, with a targeted market debut in 2026.
How will Citi custody digital assets and who is it for?
Citi has been developing custody capabilities for two to three years, according to Biswarup Chatterjee, Citi’s global head of partnerships and innovation. The service will involve Citi holding clients’ digital assets directly, combining traditional custody controls with blockchain-aware operational tools. The initial target users are institutional clients: asset managers, banks, and large corporate treasuries. This development aligns with moves across the banking sector—JP Morgan on stablecoins and Morgan Stanley enabling retail trading via E*Trade—and comes after SEC approvals for spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds earlier this cycle, which broadened institutional demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Citi launch its crypto custody service for asset managers?
Citi has signaled a market introduction in 2026. The bank reported multi-year development work and expects to bring a credible custody solution to market within the next few quarters ahead of a formal rollout to asset managers and other institutional clients.
Can Citi hold Bitcoin and Ethereum for clients?
Yes. Citi’s announced approach is to hold coins and tokens for clients, which would include major token types such as Bitcoin and Ethereum if the product supports them. The offering is designed to meet institutional requirements for custody, reporting, and regulatory compliance.
Context and market implications
The decision by Citi to offer custody marks another step in mainstream financial institutions deepening ties to digital assets. After regulatory approvals for spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, several major banks have expanded crypto-related activity. Notable contemporaneous initiatives include JP Morgan’s work on stablecoins and Morgan Stanley enabling customers to trade major cryptocurrencies through its retail platform. Separately, a group of large global banks—including Banco Santander, Bank of America, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, MUFG Bank Ltd, TD Bank Group, and UBS—publicly indicated they were exploring a 1:1 reserve-backed form of digital money.
Regulatory and risk considerations
Regulators in recent years have alternated between caution and clearer frameworks. The SEC’s approvals of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have increased institutional flows and demand for regulated custody. Citi’s custody product will need to satisfy bank regulatory expectations, anti-money-laundering rules, and custodial best practices. Industry sources cited include CNBC and COINOTAG for reporting on Citi’s plans, and regulatory context references the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Key Takeaways
- Launch timeline: Targeted for 2026, following several years of development.
- Institutional focus: Service aims to hold client coins and tokens for asset managers, banks, and corporate clients with bank-grade controls.
- Market signal: Citi’s move reinforces growing bank participation in crypto custody after ETF approvals and coordinated bank efforts on digital money.
Conclusion
Citi’s planned crypto custody service positions the bank to provide regulated, institutional-grade safekeeping for digital assets, reflecting broader Wall Street interest in on-chain markets. Mentioned sources: CNBC; COINOTAG; public announcements by the Securities and Exchange Commission; and statements from Citi executives including Biswarup Chatterjee. For institutional clients and market participants, the next 12–18 months will be pivotal as products like Citi’s custody solution come to market. COINOTAG will continue to monitor developments and report updates.
