Citi is set to launch new infrastructure in 2026 that will allow clients to manage Bitcoin alongside traditional financial assets.
The move reflects growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies and underscores a broader shift toward integrating digital assets with conventional banking systems.
Key Points
- Citi will launch institutional-grade Bitcoin services, including secure custody, wallet management, and private key handling, later this year.
- Leading the initiative is Nisha Surendran, Head of Digital Asset Custody Development at Citi.
- Bitcoin will be fully integrated into existing reporting, compliance, and portfolio management systems for a seamless client experience.
- This launch extends Citi’s $30 trillion client asset management infrastructure to include digital assets.
Institutional-Grade Bitcoin Services
Specifically, the project, led by Nisha Surendran, Citi’s Head of Digital Asset Custody Development, will offer clients secure custody, wallet solutions, and institutional-grade key management. By managing wallet operations, private keys, and transaction addresses, Citi aims to simplify access to Bitcoin for institutional investors.
Surendran emphasized that the initiative is part of Citi’s broader strategy to make Bitcoin “bankable”. In particular, she discussed the bank’s approach at Strategy World, an industry conference hosted by Bitcoin treasury firm Strategy.
Seamless Reporting and Compliance
Beyond custody, Citi plans to integrate Bitcoin into existing regulatory and reporting frameworks. Consequently, investors will be able to track crypto positions alongside stocks, bonds, and money market holdings using familiar tax and compliance workflows.
Currently, Citi manages approximately $30 trillion in client assets. Therefore, extending these systems to digital assets reflects the bank’s commitment to providing a seamless, fully regulated experience for clients entering the cryptocurrency space.
Bitcoin Market Context
In December 2025, Citi analysts projected that Bitcoin could reach $143,000 in 2026, outlining a bullish scenario above $189,000 and a bearish case near $78,500. These forecasts were based on potential adoption through ETFs and supportive U.S. regulations.
At that time, Bitcoin traded around $88,000, down 30% from its October peak. Currently, the cryptocurrency is priced at $67,540. These figures underscore both Bitcoin’s volatility and potential, providing context for why major institutions are building infrastructure to handle it.
Morgan Stanley Expands Digital Asset Offerings
Similarly, Morgan Stanley is also broadening its cryptocurrency services. For instance, at Strategy World, the bank announced a new crypto custody and exchange platform. Initially, E-Trade clients will be able to trade spot cryptocurrencies through a partnership, with a fully integrated platform expected within the next year.
The service will offer legal oversight of client assets while accommodating self-custody for those who prefer it.
Additionally, Morgan Stanley is exploring crypto yield and lending products, leveraging its $8 trillion asset base to onboard off-platform holdings.
Bridging Traditional and Digital Finance
Taken together, Citi and Morgan Stanley are signaling a shift toward institutional adoption of Bitcoin. By combining secure custody, regulatory compliance, and simplified access, these initiatives aim to bridge traditional finance with the growing digital asset market.
Consequently, this approach enables investors to engage with Bitcoin confidently, without the operational challenges typically associated with cryptocurrency ownership.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.