Deutsche Bank to Launch Crypto Custody for Institutions

Deutsche Bank is preparing to launch a regulated digital asset custody service for European institutional and corporate clients by the end of 2026, pending regulatory approval under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. The German lender announced that the service will initially support Bitcoin, Ether, and select stablecoins including USDC, EURC, and EURAU. Deutsche Bank will manage client wallets and private keys, providing custody infrastructure without requiring clients to build their own systems. The bank expects to receive the necessary custody license in October, according to a spokesperson. The service is subject to completing the applicable regulatory process, which includes notification under MiCA's Article 60 for credit institutions. Digital assets are not a replacement for the traditional financial system but an important complement to it, said Gerald Podobnik, co-head of Deutsche Bank's Corporate Bank. The bank will use hardware-based key protection, multiperson approvals, and separate warm and cold storage environments to secure assets.