Citibank will launch institutional-grade Bitcoin custody services in 2026.

On February 27, the global financial giant Citibank announced that it will launch a Bitcoin custody solution for institutional clients in 2026, integrating digital assets into its core banking system. The plan was disclosed by Nisha Surendran, head of digital asset custody, at industry events. Citibank stated that the new platform will offer institutional-grade custody, key management, and wallet systems, supporting 24/7 operation, SWIFT messaging, and API integration, as well as extending tax reporting, compliance management, and risk control processes to Bitcoin holdings, enabling institutional investors to manage digital assets as easily as stocks or bonds. It is reported that Citibank currently manages approximately $30 trillion in assets. The company plans to initially launch core custody features, with subsequent expansion to asset segregation and collateral management services. Industry experts believe this move could further promote traditional capital allocation into Bitcoin, but challenges such as regulatory evolution and cybersecurity remain.