Deutsche Bank Plans Crypto Custody Services for Institutional Clients

Deutsche Bank plans institutional crypto custody services for Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and tokenized assets, pending regulatory approvals later this year.

Germany’s largest lender, Deutsche Bank, plans to enter crypto custody with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins. Later this year, Deutsche Bank AG is getting ready to roll out an institutional crypto custody service. According to Bloomberg, the German banking giant is waiting for regulatory approvals before launching the new service.

Deutsche Bank Opens New Digital Asset Custody Business

The planned launch will be the official launch of Deutsche Bank’s digital asset custody services. The bank aims to provide a secure way for institutional and corporate clients to store and move certain cryptocurrencies.

Institutional and corporate clients will be able to securely hold and transfer Bitcoin, Ether and selected stablecoins with Deutsche Bank later this year https://t.co/BZItKixngv

— Bloomberg (@business) September 16, 2026

Deutsche Bank is a major player in the European financial services industry, with assets of around $1.7 trillion. Its move could connect traditional banking services with the growing digital asset market.

Related reading: SEC Moves Crypto Custody Rules to White House 

The new service will target professional clients who need secure and regulated cryptocurrency storage. These customers include portfolio management companies, hedge funds, custodians, brokerage firms, and sovereign wealth funds.

Moreover, Deutsche Bank will provide services for institutions interested in blockchain technology for investments and payments. On a smaller scale, but still part of its target market, will be digital asset companies.

Gerald Podobnik, Co-Head of Corporate Bank at Deutsche Bank, said that digital assets are a valuable addition to conventional finance. The bank is looking to give clients safe and regulated access to the changing market, he said.

Podobnik also said that the service will evolve based on customer needs, regulatory needs and the bank’s appetite for risk. As institutional interest grows, Deutsche Bank reserves the right to modify its offering.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Stablecoins Included in Custody Plans

The crypto custody solution from Deutsche Bank will enable clients to protect their digital assets. Moreover, the planned service will enable customers to sell supported assets to third parties.

The bank will be responsible for the management of the cryptocurrency wallets and private keys of its customers. As a result, institutions can choose not to construct and maintain their own custody system.

Deutsche Bank will include Bitcoin and Ether, as well as some stablecoins and e-money tokens, in its launch. The assets reportedly consist of USDC, EURC, and EURAU.

Deutsche Bank will also investigate tokenized financial instruments custody services. The roadmap may include more than just cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in its digital asset expansion.

The program underscores the increasing linkage between traditional finance and blockchain financial products. Meanwhile, European banks are continuing to build digital asset services in the evolving regulatory regime.

MiCA, or the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, is a regulatory framework for crypto-related activities in the European Union. However, Deutsche Bank will have to get the required approvals to launch its custody service.

The bank’s planned entry puts it on par with other European financial institutions that are also looking into digital assets. These include Standard Chartered, BBVA, DZ Bank, and Commerzbank.

Regulated custody services can mitigate issues related to private-key management and operational security for institutional investors. But Deutsche Bank’s offering may offer another avenue for pro clients to gain exposure to digital assets.

However, the service’s final launch date and supported assets remain subject to regulatory approval. Customer demand and internal risk policies will also be important in determining the bank’s future expansion plans.