The banking sector continues its entry into digital assets, with Citi preparing a service dedicated to institutional investors. The bank plans in particular for large institutional investors to launch before the end of 2026 a native bitcoin custody offer, integrated into its securities services platform. With Custody+, Citi wants to bring together traditional custody, risk management, compliance and digital assets in the same environment. The project marks a step in the integration of cryptocurrencies into institutional operations.
In brief
- Citi will launch a bitcoin custody service for institutional clients before the end of 2026.
- Custody+ will bring together traditional and digital assets on a single platform with reporting, compliance and risk management.
- The project is based on several years of development, particularly around stablecoins and crypto ETFs.
- Citi Token Services complements this infrastructure with tokenized deposit transfers available continuously in select markets.
- Citi joins a very competitive market, where BNY Mellon, US Bank, State Street and Standard Chartered are also developing their digital offerings.
Citi prepares integrated custody of digital assets
The new service is part of Custody+, a modular suite presented by Citi on August 18. This offering brings together eight features related to speed, security, analytics and infrastructure. Bitcoin custody is in the latter category, with a white-label platform for institutions. Citi therefore plans to begin its deployment with the custody of BTC.
L’approach relies on integration with existing financial services. Customers will be able to find traditional custody and that of cryptocurrencies in the same platform. They will maintain a common account structure and reporting, risk and compliance tools. Citi thus wants to limit the separation between digital assets and traditional wallets.
According to Amit Agarwal, head of custody at Citi, institutional investors no longer want to manage their digital assets separately from their traditional ledgers. The group presents Custody+ as the result of a program initiated for several years. This infrastructure must support customer strategies and simplify their operations. Digital assets will not rely on an external wallet in this offering.
Three years of development before launch
Citi had already set a target for 2026 during a interview granted to CNBC in October 2025. Biswarup Chatterjee then explained that the bank had been working on this activity for two to three years. The project initially focused on the custody of stablecoin reserves and assets linked to crypto ETFs. The launch therefore extends a committed roadmap.
This strategy is part of an investment program dedicated to Citi’s services platform. Chris Cox says the bank invests more than $2 billion a year in this strategy. Custody+ must in particular reduce delays for institutional clients. Digital preservation adds to the financial infrastructure developed by Citi.
The timing coincides with the final U.S. deployment of Citi’s SEP technology. This solution has reduced voluntary securities transaction times by up to 92%. Now, 96% of these operations are completed in less than two hours. More than 80% of the total volume benefits from real-time processing.
A digital infrastructure that goes beyond bitcoin
The new system is not limited to the conservation of bitcoin. The suite includes real-time asset management, instant settlements with central depositories and on-demand foreign exchange. It also integrates liquidity and cash flow in real time. Citi adds AI-driven tax tools, Market Guide and data access via cloud and APIs.
Citi also integrates Citi Token Services, its private and secure blockchain infrastructure operational since 2024. This technology allows almost instantaneous transfers of tokenized deposits, 24 hours a day in certain markets. The system joins the continuously available dollar clearing and euro settlement from Dublin. In July 2026, Siam Commercial Bank became the first external bank to use the combined platform.
Furthermore, the bank is participating in several projects intended to build an interbank infrastructure for digital assets. The bank has joined Swift’s blockchain ledger pilot project, which brings together 17 banks. It also participates in the tokenized deposit network developed with JPMorgan, Bank of America and Wells Fargo through The Clearing House. This orientation places conservation within a broader set of financial services.
Already strong competition between large depositories
The bank is entering a market where several major banks have strengthened their digital offerings. BNY Mellon has an institutional platform after a SAB 121 exemption obtained in 2024. The bank then expanded its capabilities to hold, issue and repurchase USDC from Circle. US Bank resumed its bitcoin custody in September 2025 with NYDIG as subcustodian and added Bitcoin ETFs to its offering.
Other actors are also moving forward. State Street has announced plans to develop a cryptocurrency custody business in 2026. Standard Chartered is working on the full integration of its subsidiary Zodia Custody. The market therefore brings together global banks, traditional custodians and specialists in digital assets. This diversity accentuates competition between institutional infrastructures.
For Citi, the challenge will be based in particular on its global network of securities services present in more than 100 markets. Unified reporting for multiple asset classes is a central element. Custody+ thus seeks to respond to the problem of fragmentation associated with cryptocurrency operations. The bank will have to convince institutions already equipped by competitors or specialists.
The launch planned before the end of 2026 will make it possible to measure the place of this infrastructure in institutional finance. Citi relies on a unified platform, common controls and connection with its services. Competition will remain structured around several major players present. For bitcoin, this development could strengthen its operational integration into financial infrastructures intended for institutional investors.
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