Citi is making ready to introduce infrastructure that integrates Bitcoin into conventional monetary programs, a financial institution government stated Thursday.
The initiative, launched by Nisha Surendran, head of digital asset custody growth at Citi, goals to offer institutional-grade custody, key administration, and pockets companies for shoppers holding the cryptocurrency.
Talking at Technique World, an trade occasion hosted by Bitcoin treasury agency Technique, Surendran stated the trouble is a part of Citi’s broader plan to “make Bitcoin bankable.” She outlined a three-pronged strategy targeted on custody, integration with current reporting and tax programs, and simplifying shopper entry to digital belongings.
“Later this 12 months, Citi will probably be launching our infrastructure that integrates Bitcoin into conventional finance,” Surendran stated. “We’re beginning with core custody and safekeeping capabilities, institutional-grade key administration, and pockets infrastructure.”
The rollout will enable shoppers to handle Bitcoin positions alongside conventional belongings. Citi manages roughly $30 trillion in shopper belongings throughout securities and cash market merchandise.
The financial institution plans to increase the identical reporting channels, tax workflows, and compliance frameworks at the moment used for conventional belongings to Bitcoin holdings.
Purchasers won’t have to handle wallets, non-public keys, or one-time addresses, Surendran stated, as Citi will deal with these processes by its infrastructure.
In December 2025, Citi analysts forecasted that bitcoin might attain $143,000 in 2026, with a bullish state of affairs above $189,000 and a bearish case close to $78,500, citing elevated adoption by ETFs and supportive U.S. regulation.
On the time, bitcoin traded round $88,000, down 30% from its October peak. Bitcoin is now buying and selling beneath $67,000. Bitcoin jumped loads yesterday however has since been giving again a few of its positive aspects.
Morgan Stanley desires in on the bitcoin enjoyable
Yesterday at Technique World, Morgan Stanley additionally outlined plans to develop its digital asset choices, together with launching a local crypto custody and alternate platform.
The financial institution will initially enable E-Commerce shoppers to purchase and promote spot cryptocurrencies by a partnership, whereas a totally built-in platform is predicted over the subsequent 12 months.
The deliberate custody answer would give shoppers authorized management of their belongings below Morgan Stanley’s oversight, although some could proceed self-custody, particularly for Bitcoin.
The agency additionally stated they’re exploring crypto yield and lending merchandise, leveraging its $8 trillion asset base to deliver off-platform holdings onto its platform.