Citi (C) is set to significantly expand its digital asset offerings with the planned launch of a cryptocurrency custody service in 2026. This move, which has been three years in the making, will enable the Wall Street bank to securely hold native digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ether for its institutional clients.
According to Biswarup Chatterjee, Citi’s global head of partnerships and innovation for services, the long-awaited custody solution aims to provide asset managers and other traditional players with the secure, regulated storage option they require to fully engage with the crypto market.
Strategy: A Hybrid Approach to Digital Assets
Citi’s custody strategy will utilize a hybrid model, blending internal technology development with external partnerships to accommodate various types of digital assets. Chatterjee emphasized the bank is “not currently ruling out anything” as it seeks to balance innovation with institutional-grade security and regulatory oversight.
Part of a Broader Digital Strategy
The custody service is a key component of Citi’s larger digital asset roadmap. CEO Jane Fraser confirmed during the bank’s July earnings call that Citi is prioritizing tokenized deposits and is also exploring a potential stablecoin issuance. This focus comes shortly after the stablecoin market cap exceeded $300 billion.
Citi is actively positioning itself in the modern financial infrastructure, demonstrated by a recent investment through Citi Ventures in stablecoin payments startup BVNK, alongside Visa.
Citi’s entry into the crypto custody space in 2026 will place it in direct competition with other major firms—including JPMorgan, BNY Mellon, and State Street—further validating cryptocurrency custody as a mainstream financial service amidst surging institutional demand.
October 2025, Cryptoniteuae
