Citi to launch Bitcoin custody services for institutions in 2026

Citi has announced plans to launch crypto custody services for institutional clients in 2026, starting with Bitcoin custody. The banking giant revealed that its forthcoming Custody+ platform will integrate both traditional and digital asset custody, enabling clients to manage multiple asset classes within a single system.

Custody+ Platform to Combine Digital and Traditional Assets

The newly unveiled Custody+ platform aims to offer near real-time custody solutions tailored to fast-paced and continuously operating markets like cryptocurrencies. By enabling institutions to access both traditional securities and digital assets under one platform, Citi is focusing on simplifying asset management for its clients.

Citi stated that digital assets present unique challenges because they operate 24/7, without the standard downtimes seen in traditional markets. To address this, Citi will leverage its existing digital asset infrastructure, linking new crypto custody services with its established custody offerings.

The bank has not yet specified which additional cryptocurrencies may be supported after the initial Bitcoin launch. However, Citi’s team indicated that further assets, such as Ethereum, could be considered based on demand and regulatory approval.

Rising Demand from Institutional Investors

A steady increase in institutional interest for secure and regulated digital asset solutions has shaped Citi’s crypto strategy. Financial firms are seeking reliable custody arrangements as they expand portfolios to include both cryptocurrencies and traditional assets. Citi’s Custody+ is being developed as a response to this growing market need.

The bank previously expanded its digital asset initiatives in 2021, when it strengthened its digital asset team to lay the groundwork for institutional-grade infrastructure. This long-term effort highlights Citi’s confidence in the future of regulated crypto services for institutional clients.

Citi sees the integration of Bitcoin custody as a key step towards bridging traditional financial systems with evolving digital asset markets, especially against a backdrop of increased participation by major banks and financial institutions.

Streamlined Access to Markets and Tools

By centralizing custody services within one unified architecture, Citi will allow clients to reduce the complexity of managing multiple custody providers across asset classes. This is expected to improve operational efficiency and risk management for institutional investors accessing the cryptocurrency market.

In an environment where a single Federal Reserve decision or a new altcoin listing can cause rapid market fluctuations, traders are increasingly turning to comprehensive, privacy-focused tools. Privacy-first platforms like CryptoAppsy are gaining popularity by consolidating market data, news, and portfolio insights onto one screen, offering real-time charts, price alerts, and macroeconomic indicators without the need to create an account.

Citi’s crypto custody launch remains slated for later in 2026, with specific launch dates still to be disclosed. The firm’s initial focus will be on safekeeping Bitcoin for institutional clients, and attention is now turning to which other assets or services may follow as the digital asset market continues to develop.

The move signals Citi’s commitment to building infrastructure suitable for evolving digital asset needs, allowing institutions to conveniently access both cryptocurrency and traditional asset services through a single, secure platform.

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