Deutsche Bank Plans to Launch Crypto Custody Service in 2026
Global banking institutions are stepping deeper into crypto, and among them, Germany’s Deutsche Bank is laying out timelines for launching its new services.
According to a recent report by Bloomberg, Deutsche Bank is gearing up to launch its crypto custody service in 2026. The Frankfurt-based institution is working with Bitpanda Technology Solutions, the tech arm of crypto exchange Bitpanda, to build the service.
The initiative was first unveiled in 2022 and has gained traction as more global banks explore ways to offer regulated access to crypto and other digital assets. Deutsche Bank is also exploring stablecoin ventures and potential infrastructure for public blockchain use cases that meet regulatory requirements.
Partnerships and Expansion
As part of the custody rollout, Deutsche Bank will continue working with Taurus SA, a Swiss digital asset firm it backed in a $65 million funding round last year. This collaboration highlights the bank’s commitment to expanding its services in the digital asset space.
Deutsche Bank’s growing crypto push aligns with the trend of more German and international institutions looking to offer digital asset services. In a separate report, German bank Sparkassen announced plans to roll out cryptocurrency trading for retail customers by summer 2026.
This move marks a significant shift from Sparkassen’s previous decision to block such services in 2023, citing concerns about volatility and risk. The new offering will allow customers to buy and sell digital assets like Bitcoin through DekaBank, Sparkassen’s securities arm, using their existing banking apps.
European Financial Institutions Embrace Digital Assets
Beyond Germany, other major financial institutions across Europe are also exploring digital assets. Standard Chartered, one of the world’s largest banking institutions, recently secured the MiCA regulatory license to provide institutional-grade custody for Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The increasing interest and investment in crypto and blockchain technologies by traditional financial institutions signal a growing acceptance and integration of digital assets into the mainstream financial system. Deutsche Bank’s upcoming crypto custody service launch in 2026 is a significant step in this direction, paving the way for more institutional involvement in the crypto space.