Citi is making ready to introduce infrastructure that integrates Bitcoin into conventional monetary techniques, a financial institution government mentioned Thursday.
The initiative, launched by Nisha Surendran, head of digital asset custody improvement at Citi, goals to supply institutional-grade custody, key administration, and pockets providers for shoppers holding the cryptocurrency.
Talking at Technique World, an trade occasion hosted by Bitcoin treasury agency Technique, Surendran mentioned the trouble is a part of Citi’s broader plan to “make Bitcoin bankable.” She outlined a three-pronged method targeted on custody, integration with present reporting and tax techniques, and simplifying consumer entry to digital property.
“Later this 12 months, Citi will likely be launching our infrastructure that integrates Bitcoin into conventional finance,” Surendran mentioned. “We’re beginning with core custody and safekeeping capabilities, institutional-grade key administration, and pockets infrastructure.”
The rollout will enable shoppers to handle Bitcoin positions alongside conventional property. Citi manages roughly $30 trillion in consumer property throughout securities and cash market merchandise.
The financial institution plans to increase the identical reporting channels, tax workflows, and compliance frameworks presently used for conventional property to Bitcoin holdings.
Shoppers won’t have to handle wallets, non-public keys, or one-time addresses, Surendran mentioned, as Citi will deal with these processes by its infrastructure.
In December 2025, Citi analysts forecasted that bitcoin may attain $143,000 in 2026, with a bullish situation above $189,000 and a bearish case close to $78,500, citing elevated adoption by ETFs and supportive U.S. regulation.
On the time, bitcoin traded round $88,000, down 30% from its October peak. Bitcoin is now buying and selling under $67,000. Bitcoin jumped rather a lot yesterday however has since been giving again a few of its beneficial properties.
Morgan Stanley needs in on the bitcoin enjoyable
Yesterday at Technique World, Morgan Stanley additionally outlined plans to develop its digital asset choices, together with launching a local crypto custody and alternate platform.
The financial institution will initially enable E-Commerce shoppers to purchase and promote spot cryptocurrencies by a partnership, whereas a completely built-in platform is predicted over the subsequent 12 months.
The deliberate custody answer would give shoppers authorized management of their property below Morgan Stanley’s oversight, although some might proceed self-custody, particularly for Bitcoin.
The agency additionally mentioned they’re exploring crypto yield and lending merchandise, leveraging its $8 trillion asset base to carry off-platform holdings onto its platform.
