NetherlandsDeutsche Bank crypto custody launch in Germany
Deutsche Bank is preparing to launch its first digital asset service, a crypto custody platform for institutional and corporate clients in Germany, with the launch expected in October 2026. The platform is set to support Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and stablecoins including USD Coin (USDC).
What is happening
Gerald Podobnik, co-head of corporate banking at Deutsche Bank, confirmed the timeline on October 16 in an interview in Bangkok, saying the launch would take place within the coming weeks. The exact day has not been announced, so only the month is known. Germany's largest lender is targeting institutional and corporate customers rather than retail users.
At the start, the platform will offer Bitcoin and Ethereum alongside several stablecoins, including USD Coin, EUR Coin and EUR Aura. Clients will be able to hold digital assets in managed wallets and transfer them, as described in the bank's September announcement. Deutsche Bank will manage private keys and wallet security on behalf of clients, using offline storage, multi-approval requirements for transactions and hardware protection.
After the German launch, the bank plans to extend the custody product to financial centres in Asia in 2027, subject to regulatory clearance. It has not said which Asian markets will come first, and the schedule depends on regulatory approvals, internal testing and customer demand. Beyond storage, the bank intends to let customers convert traditional currencies into stablecoins and back, and plans to offer tokenized deposits and an environment for blockchain-based securities such as digital bonds.
Why it matters
The launch marks a notable step by a major European lender into institutional crypto custody. For institutional holders of BTC, ETH and supported stablecoins, a custody option from an established bank may widen the choice of regulated providers in Germany. Podobnik described the move as part of the bank's growth plan of 8% annual corporate banking growth through 2028, citing rising stablecoin adoption and demand for blockchain services.
Traders and market observers may also watch how the service develops alongside other bank initiatives, such as BNY's expansion of digital asset custody in Europe through a MiCA-registered entity and HSBC's tokenized deposit payment test with Ant Digital. Podobnik stressed that the new offerings are meant to complement traditional banking products rather than replace them. Key points to follow are the confirmed launch date, the final list of supported assets and the first Asian markets to be named.
Key details
- Date: October 2026 (month precision; exact day not announced)
- Project: Deutsche Bank
- Coins: BTC, ETH, USDC
- Category: Product Release
- Status: Confirmed
- Source: Euronext financial news (live.euronext.com) and Coingape (coingape.com)