State Street and Citi to Transform Crypto Custody Market with Bold Entry

• State Street plans crypto custody launch by next year, possibly 2026.
• Citi explores dual approach with in-house services and partnerships.
• BNY Mellon to expand token custody services beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

State Street and Citi are making an entry into the crypto custody market, targeting institutional investors and large funds. As the demand for secure digital asset services grows, both banks are positioning themselves as key players in the growing market.

State Street and Citi Offers Crypto Custody Services

State Street and Citi are set to enter the crypto custody market, aiming to provide secure services for digital assets. These services will target institutional investors, large funds, and traders. The move highlights the growing involvement of traditional financial institutions in the digital assets space.

State Street, one of the world’s largest custodian banks, is expected to launch its crypto custody services next year. The bank has long been a leader in the protection of traditional assets like stocks and bonds. Its entry into the digital asset market signals a shift towards offering digital asset solutions, as the demand for secure crypto storage increases.

Citi, the third-largest U.S. bank by assets, is also exploring its crypto custody services. The bank has introduced its CIDAP digital asset platform, which aims to provide a secure technology for cryptocurrencies. Citi plans to pursue a dual approach by developing its own custody services and partnering with external firms to meet the demand for secure digital asset storage.

Citi Explores Partnerships and Tokenization

Citi’s expansion into the digital asset space follows the successful completion of a proof of concept with Wellington Management and WisdomTree. This pilot explored the tokenization of private funds using blockchain technology to streamline private market transactions. Citi’s experiment tested the use of private fund tokens as collateral for lending contracts with DTCC Digital Assets.

Meanwhile, BNY Mellon, which already offers custody services for Bitcoin and Ethereum, is planning to expand its offerings. The bank intends to include additional tokens, indicating broader institutional interest in crypto custodial services. Traditional financial institutions like BNY Mellon, Citi, and State Street aim to strengthen their position in the protection of digital assets.

Institutional Interest Grows

The demand for digital asset services is driven by rising institutional interest and a more favorable regulatory environment under Trump’s administration. Alex Thorn, Head of Research at Galaxy Digital, predicts that large banks will expand their digital asset services this year. According to Thorn, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) will provide a clear regulatory pathway for banks to expand crypto custody services.

Citi and State Street’s moves align with broader trends among U.S. banks offering services related to digital assets. Financial institutions continue to refine their strategies to capitalize on the friendly regulatory climate for digital assets under the leadership of President Donald Trump. The administration’s push for clearer regulations is fueling the bullish sentiment on Wall Street, which attracts more institutional interest.