Germany's Deutsche Bank to debuts its crypto custody service in 2026

Deutsche Bank is finally getting ready to launch its own crypto custody service in 2026, with help from Bitpanda Technology Solutions, the tech division of the Austrian exchange. The reports came from Bloomberg, which claimed to have spoken to people with direct knowledge of the plan.

The custody system is being developed by the bank’s corporate division, and it isn’t the first time they’ve talked about it. The original announcement about moving into crypto custody was made in 2022, but this is the first real progress being reported since then.

The bank is also sticking with its existing tech partner, Taurus SA, a Swiss firm that provides tools for managing tokenized assets. Taurus has already been involved with Deutsche’s earlier blockchain projects and will continue to play a key role in this one. Both Bitpanda and Taurus are expected to deliver the backend that will let the bank offer full-scale institutional crypto custody by next year.

Deutsche Bank expands into stablecoins and payment tokens

Alongside the custody launch, Deutsche is now studying how it can get involved with stablecoins and tokenized deposits. It’s even considering issuing its own token, or possibly joining an industry-wide project focused on blockchain-based payments.

The bank is also reportedly doing research on whether a tokenized deposit product could be built in-house, to be used for settling payments directly on chain. It wants to stay within regulatory guardrails, especially as rules around crypto in Europe become clearer under MiCA, and the US moves toward a more welcoming stance following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in November.

Trump’s administration has appointed crypto-friendly figures to top financial roles and is pushing stablecoin legislation that makes it easier for traditional banks like Deutsche to get involved without legal risks. These moves have helped Bitcoin rebound sharply, pulling other digital assets with it. The new climate is one reason major financial firms are finally moving beyond exploration and into development.

The partnership with Taurus isn’t just technical. In 2023, Deutsche was part of a $65 million investment round for the Geneva-based company, backing it alongside other major players. That funding was never just about equity; it also cemented a long-term relationship that’s now turning into a full-blown product rollout.

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