Citigroup is preparing to launch a comprehensive digital asset infrastructure in 2026, with the explicit goal of making Bitcoin "bankable" by integrating it into the bank's $30 trillion traditional asset framework. The announcement was made by Nisha Surendran, Citi's head of digital asset custody, during the Strategy World event on February 26, 2026.
The initiative represents a significant shift from offering limited crypto access to providing direct, institutional-grade custody. Unlike models that offer indirect exposure, Citi plans to hold native digital assets directly on its balance sheet. The bank will apply the same rigorous risk controls, regulatory standards, and reporting frameworks it uses for traditional securities to its Bitcoin custody services.
The new infrastructure is designed to allow institutional clients to manage Bitcoin seamlessly alongside conventional assets like stocks and bonds within a unified reporting system. This integration will encompass compliance monitoring, tax processing, and performance reporting in a single operational structure.
To accommodate Bitcoin's 24/7 trading nature, Citi is adapting its internal processes to support round-the-clock liquidity and settlement, reviving a "City Never Sleeps" operational model for digital money markets. The technical build is using a hybrid approach, combining proprietary in-house technology with partnerships from third-party providers. While not officially confirmed, industry observers speculate that collaborations with fintech infrastructure firms like Ripple and its custody arm Metaco could be involved.
Citi's move is driven by growing institutional demand for regulated crypto access. Internal bank surveys project that roughly 10% of financial market turnover could be digital within five years, with regulated custodians seen as the preferred entry point. The timing is also influenced by a more favorable U.S. regulatory environment in 2026, including the passage of the GENIUS Act, which provides clearer guidance for banks offering digital asset services.
This initiative positions Citi ahead of competitors like JPMorgan Chase, which have enabled client exposure but not direct custody. It complements Citi's broader digital strategy, which includes Citi Token Services for payments and an ongoing evaluation of a potential Citi-issued stablecoin. If successful, the 2026 launch would mark one of the most significant steps by a major U.S. bank toward fully embedding Bitcoin into traditional finance.
