Citigroup is preparing to launch an institutional Bitcoin custody platform later this year, aiming to integrate the cryptocurrency into the bank’s existing custody, reporting, and compliance infrastructure, according to announcements made at the World Strategy Forum 2026.
Nisha Surendran, head of Citi’s digital asset custody product buildout, described the initiative as an effort to “make bitcoin bankable,” offering institutional clients a way to hold BTC within the same account structures currently used for traditional securities. “We will be offering our clients a single service model across crypto, securities and money,” Surendran said at the forum.
The move reflects growing institutional demand for secure and regulated access to Bitcoin, and a broader trend of established financial institutions adapting to the digital asset space. Citi’s approach centers on building institutional-grade key management and wallet infrastructure, but extends beyond secure storage to embed BTC into existing banking systems.
Under the proposed model, Bitcoin holdings will be reflected in standard reporting streams and tax documentation, mirroring the processes used for equities and fixed income instruments. Clients will be able to initiate transactions through SWIFT messaging, APIs, or conventional user interfaces, with Citi managing the underlying settlement and blockchain complexities. “From a client perspective, all they should care about is that they instruct us. We handle all the clearing and settlement complexity, and then we report back,” Surendran explained.
Citi’s decision is driven by client feedback indicating a preference for Bitcoin exposure without the need to directly manage wallets, keys, or blockchain addresses. The bank also intends to enable cross-margining between crypto and traditional assets, allowing clients to utilize Bitcoin alongside U.S. Treasuries, foreign bonds, and tokenized money market funds within a single master custody account.
This development comes as other major financial institutions, including Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan, are also expanding their digital asset offerings. Morgan Stanley has recently filed for Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana exchange-traded products and is exploring wallet technology across its wealth platform, while also rolling out spot crypto trading on the E*TRADE platform. Amy Golenberg, Morgan Stanley’s recently appointed head of digital assets, emphasized the need to build internal infrastructure rather than relying on external technology.
Citi, which connects to over 220 payment and settlement networks globally, has been gradually incorporating blockchain technology, beginning with private, permissioned blockchains and expanding to public networks as regulations have clarified and client demand has increased. Citi Token Services for cash, a 24/7 blockchain-based network for internal money movement, is already live. “As we move into the world of 24/7 assets like bitcoin, we definitely need 24/7 U.S. Dollars or 24/7 digital money,” Surendran said, noting the adaptation of Citi’s internal systems for round-the-clock support.
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are also planning to introduce around-the-clock, blockchain-based trading venues for tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds, responding to the increasing demand for 24/7 market access from institutional clients.
