Citibank Enters the Crypto Race: Custody Platform Set for 2026 Launch Amid Institutional Push
Citibank is formally becoming a member of the crypto custody race, saying plans to launch a regulated digital asset storage platform in 2026 after greater than three years of growth.
The motion marks considered one of Wall Street’s clearest commitments but to integrating blockchain infrastructure into mainstream finance, as institutional urge for food for safe crypto publicity continues to surge.
Citibank’s Institutional Crypto Custody Vision
According to Biswarup Chatterjee, Citibank’s world head of partnerships and innovation, the financial institution has been quietly constructing a hybrid crypto custody system designed to serve institutional traders, asset managers, and hedge funds.
The service will allow shoppers to securely retailer native cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, combining Citi’s in-house safety framework with third-party blockchain infrastructure for flexibility and scale.
Chatterjee told CNBC that the challenge is coming into its remaining phases, stating: “We’re hoping that in the subsequent few quarters, we are able to come to market with a reputable custody answer that meets institutional requirements.”
The mannequin echoes a rising business pattern the place conventional banks develop their very own blockchain instruments whereas partnering with specialised fintech suppliers to deal with on-chain operations and custody logistics.
Stablecoins, Regulation, and Citi’s Blockchain Ambitions
Citibank’s entry comes as the U.S. regulatory local weather for digital belongings improves below the GENIUS Act, a landmark framework clarifying the remedy of stablecoins and tokenized belongings.
This shift has reignited Wall Street’s crypto ambitions, with Citi, JPMorgan, and different world banks exploring blockchain-based fee and settlement methods.
Citi’s CEO Jane Fraser has already confirmed that the financial institution is testing a Citi-branded stablecoin and tokenized deposit service to help 24/7 settlements for company shoppers.
The financial institution’s blockchain operations at present allow cross-border transfers between New York, London, and Hong Kong utilizing distributed ledger expertise, laying the groundwork for seamless integration between custody, funds, and tokenized belongings.
A Broader Institutional Pivot Toward Digital Assets
Citi’s upcoming crypto custody launch mirrors a wider institutional pattern as conventional finance strikes into the blockchain period. Other world banks like BNY Mellon, Deutsche Bank, and Standard Chartered have rolled out related choices, positioning custody as the spine of institutional crypto adoption.
With $2.57 trillion in belongings below custody, Citi’s scale provides it a bonus in bridging conventional finance and decentralized infrastructure.
Analysts say that if executed successfully, the 2026 rollout might make Citi considered one of the most influential gamers in institutional crypto, providing shoppers each safety and regulatory assurance in a quickly evolving digital economic system.
Cover picture from ChatGPT, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview
