Deutsche Bank plans to launch Bitcoin and Ethereum custody for institutional and corporate clients in Germany within weeks. An Asian expansion is planned for 2027, subject to regulatory clearance, while stablecoin conversions and tokenized deposits come later.
Deutsche Bank confirmed plans to launch Bitcoin and Ethereum custody within weeks in Germany. Expansion into Asian financial centers follows in 2027, subject to regulatory clearance.
Corporate banking co-head Gerald Podobnik gave the timeline in an October 16 interview in Bangkok. Germany's biggest lender aims to open the service to institutional and corporate customers in the coming weeks.
What the custody service covers
Deutsche Bank will handle private keys and wallet security for its clients. The system will feature offline storage, multi-approval requirements for transactions and hardware protection.
The platform will first offer Bitcoin and Ethereum, plus several stablecoins including USD Coin, EUR Coin and EUR Aura. However, crypto.news notes that Podobnik described a rollout starting with major cryptocurrencies, with ways to move into and out of stablecoins added afterward.
Customers will also be able to convert conventional currencies into stablecoins and back. Podobnik said the bank plans to provide tokenized deposits and an environment for blockchain-based securities such as digital bonds.
Asia expansion depends on approvals
After the German launch, Deutsche Bank plans to bring the product to Asian financial centers. Podobnik described the plan at the IMF/World Bank meetings in Bangkok, and Deutsche Bank has not disclosed which Asian markets get the service first. The schedule depends on regulatory approvals, internal testing and customer requests.
The push fits the bank's target of 8% annual corporate banking growth until 2028. However, crypto.news reports that the bank did not say custody itself would grow 8% or disclose a revenue target for the product.
Sources: CoinGape, crypto.news
Trading involves risk.
Risk Disclaimer
