Citi Moves to Make Bitcoin Bankable With 2026 Custody Launch

Citi is preparing to launch bank grade Bitcoin custody infrastructure in 2026 as it moves to integrate the cryptocurrency into traditional finance systems.

Key Takeaways

• Citi plans to launch Bitcoin custody and key management services in 2026.
• The bank aims to integrate Bitcoin into existing reporting, tax, and compliance systems.
• The move reflects growing institutional demand for crypto exposure.
• Morgan Stanley is also expanding digital asset services, signaling broader Wall Street adoption.

What Happened?

Citi announced plans to roll out infrastructure that will allow institutional clients to hold and manage Bitcoin within traditional banking systems. The initiative was introduced by Nisha Surendran, head of digital asset custody development at Citi, during the Strategy World event hosted by Bitcoin treasury firm Strategy.

The bank said it will begin with core custody and safekeeping capabilities, institutional grade key management, and wallet infrastructure, with a targeted launch in 2026.

Citi’s Plan to Integrate Bitcoin Into Traditional Finance

Citi’s broader goal is to “make Bitcoin bankable,” according to Surendran. She said:

The proposed custody model would allow clients to manage Bitcoin positions alongside traditional assets such as equities and bonds. Citi currently manages about $30 trillion in client assets, giving it significant reach across securities and money market products.

Under the new framework:

• Bitcoin holdings will feed into existing tax workflows and reporting systems.
• Transactions will move through familiar channels such as Swift messaging and API connections.
• Clients will not need to manage private keys or wallet addresses themselves.
• Risk controls and compliance frameworks used for conventional securities will apply to crypto assets.

Surendran said the service is designed to reduce operational friction and strengthen safeguards through custody segregation. She added:

Citi has reportedly been developing this infrastructure quietly for more than three years. The bank is evaluating both proprietary technology and partnerships to deliver the custody solution.

Beyond custody, Citi is also exploring stablecoins and blockchain based deposit tokens to modernize cross-border payments and enable round the clock money movement. The bank is assessing the possibility of cross margining digital and traditional assets, which could allow institutions to pledge Bitcoin as collateral within the same custody account that holds government bonds or tokenized money market funds.

Institutional Demand Drives Expansion

The move comes as institutional interest in crypto continues to grow. Citi previously forecast that Bitcoin could reach as high as $199,000, although that target did not materialize amid recent market volatility. In December 2025, Citi analysts projected a base case of $143,000 in 2026, with a bullish scenario above $189,000 and a bearish case near $78,500.

Bitcoin is currently trading below $67,000 after pulling back from earlier gains.

Citi is not alone in expanding its digital asset footprint. At the same Strategy World event, Morgan Stanley outlined plans to launch a native crypto custody and exchange platform. The firm intends to initially allow E Trade clients to buy and sell spot cryptocurrencies through a partnership, with a fully integrated platform expected within a year. It is also exploring crypto yield and lending products, leveraging its $8 trillion asset base.

Meanwhile, JPMorgan recently filed for structured notes linked to the performance of BlackRock’s IBIT, offering investors exposure to Bitcoin linked returns of up to 16 percent.

CoinLaw’s Takeaway

In my experience, this is one of the clearest signals yet that Bitcoin is moving deeper into mainstream finance. When a bank with trillions in assets builds infrastructure to treat Bitcoin like stocks and bonds, that changes the conversation. I found it especially notable that Citi is not just offering custody but integrating crypto into tax, reporting, and collateral systems. That is what real adoption looks like.

If major institutions can hold Bitcoin without worrying about wallets or private keys, the barrier to entry drops significantly. For traditional investors who have been hesitant, this could be the bridge they were waiting for.

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