Deutsche Bank is preparing to enter the cryptocurrency custody space in 2026, joining Bitpanda and Taurus as the race for digital assets accelerates in global finance.
The largest lender in Germany is reportedly advancing in its foray into the crypto sector by establishing a digital custody platform designed to store and protect tokenized assets and cryptocurrencies. By collaborating with the technology division of Bitpanda, based in Austria, and the Swiss fintech firm Taurus, the initiative aligns with Deutsche Bank's broader digital assets strategy, first introduced in 2022. The decision follows a growing institutional shift towards cryptocurrencies, partly driven by regulatory clarity in the European Union and pro-crypto policy shifts in the U.S. since Donald Trump's reelection in 2024. Amid rising bitcoin prices, Deutsche Bank is also studying the role of stablecoins and tokenized deposits, considering the possibility of issuing its own digital token or participating in joint industry tokenization efforts. Its involvement in the $65 million fundraising for Taurus last year reflects its deep commitment to blockchain infrastructure.
