Citi to launch institutional Bitcoin custody service later this year

Citigroup announced on August 18, 2026, that it will launch a digital asset custody service later this year, beginning with Bitcoin, as part of a new integrated platform for institutional clients. The service, called Custody, will allow clients to hold Bitcoin alongside traditional assets like stocks and bonds within a single framework, marking a significant step in the integration of cryptocurrency into mainstream financial infrastructure.

The bank stated that the new offering is built on its common digital asset architecture and will provide a one-stop custody experience. Clients will be able to access both traditional and crypto custody capabilities within the same system, designed to meet the demands of markets moving toward continuous trading and faster settlement. Citi has not disclosed a specific launch date, initial jurisdictions, or fee structures for the service.

The announcement is part of a broader overhaul of Citi's post-trade operations. The Custody platform leverages the bank's Single Event Processing technology, which routes asset-servicing tasks through a single system. Citi reported that more than 80 percent of its total custody event volume is now processed in...