Bitcoin draws Citi as bank targets 2026 custody launch

Citibank Bitcoin custody: infrastructure this year, service targeted 2026

Citibank plans to deploy institutional Bitcoin custody infrastructure later this year, with a full custody service targeted for 2026. The timeline was disclosed as reported by Bitbo.

The build will integrate native Bitcoin handling into existing banking workflows before the full service launch. The phased path is designed to meet institutional requirements and regulatory expectations.

Why institutional-grade custody from Citi matters now

Institutions seek native Bitcoin exposure with bank-grade controls, consolidated reporting, and minimized operational friction. crypto ETF inflows and mandates from asset managers are reinforcing this demand, according to Crypto.news.

Citi’s model abstracts wallet operations for clients, aligning with existing treasury and compliance processes. Clients are expected to hold and manage Bitcoin alongside conventional assets without handling wallets or private keys, as per CoinMarketCap Academy.

Citi leaders have framed the initiative as a progression of multi-year development. “Citi aims to launch a credible custody solution … in the next few quarters,” said Biswarup Chatterjee, Global Head of Partnerships & Innovation in the Services division.

The infrastructure is intended to plug Bitcoin positions into account hierarchies, statements, and existing controls. It is meant to support tax and compliance workflows that institutions already use.

A bank executive has also indicated the bank is introducing infrastructure that integrates Bitcoin into its banking systems, as reported by Bitcoin Magazine. Near-term, this may simplify portfolio operations, reconciliations, and internal reporting.

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) was around $65,918. This figure is provided as contextual background only and does not imply any forecast or recommendation.

Regulatory safeguards and OCC framework for Citi custody

OCC guidance, AML/KYC, insurance, and asset segregation

U.S. banking guidance has clarified that federally regulated banks may offer crypto custody if they meet risk management and oversight requirements, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

For an institutional custodian, this typically entails bank-standard AML/KYC, segregation of client assets from the bank’s balance sheet, and insurance arrangements calibrated to hot/cold storage exposure.

Controls, audits, and reporting across digital and traditional assets

Citi’s custody stack is expected to align with controls used in traditional securities services. In practice, that would include access controls, change management, incident response, and periodic independent audits.

Reporting should remain consistent with institutional norms. That means standardized statements, activity logs, and compliance attestations that can be consumed by risk, operations, and tax teams.

FAQ about Citi Bitcoin custody

How will Citi integrate Bitcoin custody with existing bank accounts, reporting, and tax/compliance workflows?

Citi plans infrastructure that embeds Bitcoin positions into account structures, statements, and existing tax and compliance workflows within its banking systems.

Will institutional clients need to manage wallets or private keys with Citi’s service, and how are assets secured?

Clients are not expected to manage wallets or private keys. Citi will handle key management and custody operations using bank-grade controls and segregation.