TLDR:
- Deutsche Bank to debut institutional crypto custody via its corporate banking arm by 2026.
- Bitpanda and Taurus supply tech for Deutsche Bank’s institutional crypto custody rollout.
- Lender assesses stablecoins and deposits, weighing issuer or reserve‑manager roles.
- Clearer EU and U.S. rules are sparking demand for bank‑level crypto services.
Deutsche Bank is preparing to enter the digital asset space by launching a crypto custody service by 2026. The move adds to a growing trend of large financial institutions deepening their focus on blockchain-based solutions.
According to reports, the German lender has partnered with Bitpanda’s tech arm to help build the new offering. The service will operate under Deutsche Bank’s corporate banking unit, which initially outlined custody plans back in 2022. New regulatory clarity across Europe and the U.S. continues to drive institutional momentum in the crypto sector.
Bitpanda Joins Deutsche Bank’s Digital Asset Initiative
Bitpanda Technology Solutions, a division of Austria-based crypto exchange Bitpanda, will support Deutsche Bank’s infrastructure development.
The project remains under wraps, and both companies declined to comment on the ongoing work. Despite the silence, sources say Bitpanda’s involvement marks a step forward in the bank’s long-term crypto roadmap.
Deutsche Bank will also continue working with Swiss-based Taurus SA. The lender participated in Taurus’ $65 million funding round in 2023. The two firms have collaborated since then on building compliant digital asset custody solutions tailored to European institutions.
Deutsche Bank is actively exploring stablecoins and tokenized deposit models as part of its broader crypto push. In June, Sabih Behzad, the bank’s digital assets head, confirmed plans to assess stablecoin projects.
He stated that banks could issue stablecoins individually or join collaborative industry projects.
Behzad added that lenders also have options to act as reserve managers in the stablecoin ecosystem. He emphasized the positive regulatory environment in the U.S. as a driver of current interest. These developments align with ongoing internal discussions around building token-based payment solutions.
Institutional Demand and Regulatory Momentum
The upcoming custody service follows a sharp rise in institutional demand for secure crypto infrastructure.
Favorable policy moves in Europe and the U.S. are creating new paths for banks to expand their digital asset offerings. Market optimism has also grown following Donald Trump’s reelection, which brought crypto-friendly leadership to key regulatory positions.
Deutsche Bank’s digital asset plans reflect a larger shift among traditional financial firms. By investing in both custody and stablecoin infrastructure, the bank is positioning itself to serve growing institutional crypto interest.
The 2026 rollout could mark a new phase in the bank’s digital asset strategy.
