Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Citi to Offer Institutional Bitcoin Custody Through New Custody+ Platform

The move integrates Bitcoin into Citi’s upgraded custody to speed settlement for large institutional clients.

Overview

  • Citi unveiled Custody+ on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, and said the bank will add institutional Bitcoin custody later in 2026 with Bitcoin as the first supported cryptocurrency.
  • Custody+ merges custody, settlement, FX and cash tools into one modular platform so clients can hold Bitcoin alongside stocks, bonds and cash within a single operating framework.
  • The bank says its Single Event Processing upgrade now handles more than 80% of asset-servicing events in real time, cuts some processing times by up to 92%, and completes 96% of U.S. voluntary events within two hours.
  • Key operational details remain undisclosed including the exact launch date, geographic rollout, client eligibility, fee schedules, key-control or subcustody arrangements and insurance or withdrawal mechanics.
  • The plan builds on Citi’s multi-year CIDAP work and a 2022 METACO partnership and follows regulatory changes such as the SEC’s 2025 withdrawal of SAB 121 while positioning Citi against existing custodians like BNY Mellon, Fidelity and Coinbase.