Key Highlights
- Citigroup announced institutional Bitcoin custody services scheduled for 2026 launch.
- Digital assets will be stored directly on the bank’s balance sheet rather than through ETF products.
- Clients will access Bitcoin holdings through the same platforms used for conventional assets.
- Regulatory oversight, taxation protocols, and risk assessment tools will integrate with current banking infrastructure.
- Round-the-clock settlement capabilities will accommodate continuous cryptocurrency market activity.
Citigroup announced its intention to incorporate Bitcoin custody services into its primary banking infrastructure by 2026. The financial institution will maintain digital currencies directly on its ledger while enabling uninterrupted settlement processes. This development will enable corporate clients to oversee Bitcoin through their current banking channels.
Direct Custody Integration Within Citigroup’s Banking Framework
The financial giant will deliver native custody services rather than ETF-based alternatives for its institutional customer base. Bitcoin assets will be held in their original form with cryptographic key oversight handled through proprietary systems. Customers will monitor Bitcoin positions alongside equity holdings and bonds through consolidated reporting interfaces. Regulatory compliance and taxation workflows will operate through the bank’s established global oversight mechanisms.
Nisha Surendran serves as Head of Digital Asset Custody Development and oversees this strategic project. She emphasized the institution’s goal to bridge operational disconnects between cryptocurrency holdings and traditional financial systems. The bank will deploy wallet solutions and enterprise-level key custody capabilities. Clients will avoid direct private key management and eliminate reliance on third-party cryptocurrency custodians.
Transaction instructions for Bitcoin will flow through SWIFT communication networks and application programming interfaces. This architecture will merge cryptocurrency operations into proven settlement and accounting frameworks. Citigroup will evolve toward continuous operations to match Bitcoin’s perpetual trading environment. Staffing models and surveillance protocols will adapt to accommodate always-on functionality.
Technology Architecture Enabling Continuous Bitcoin Operations
The bank will implement its Citi Integrated Digital Assets Platform to bridge traditional currency systems with blockchain networks. This proprietary infrastructure will facilitate value movement between internal ledgers and distributed networks including Ethereum. The connectivity framework will enable token movement and consolidated reporting across multiple systems. Platform design adheres to institutional-grade security requirements.
Citigroup maintains ongoing expansion of its Citi Token Services for business clients. This offering facilitates tokenized deposit accounts enabling rapid cross-border transfers within authorized networks. Tokenized deposit functionality will link with the expanded digital asset custody capabilities. This strategy will create unified channels for both fiat and cryptocurrency settlement.
The institution has engaged in partnership discussions with blockchain infrastructure providers such as Metaco. Citigroup maintains relationships with technology companies developing stablecoin payment solutions. These engagements comprise elements of its comprehensive digital asset technology roadmap. The bank confirmed ongoing assessment of external technology vendors.
The implementation timeline follows 2025 enactment of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act. This legislation established regulatory parameters for American banking institutions to custody digital currencies. Citigroup referenced the modernized regulatory landscape as foundation for its custody initiative. The institution targets 2026 for full platform deployment.
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