Deutsche Bank Plans 2026 Launch of Digital Asset Custody Platform

Deutsche Bank, Germany’s largest lender by assets, is reportedly preparing to launch a digital asset custody platform in 2026. This initiative is being developed in collaboration with Bitpanda Technology Solutions, the technology unit of Austria-based crypto exchange Bitpanda, and Swiss digital asset infrastructure firm Taurus SA, which Deutsche Bank previously backed in a $65 million funding round in 2023. The partnership with Taurus SA positions the bank to expand its digital asset custody capabilities through regulated and scalable platforms designed for institutional use.

The bank has maintained a longstanding relationship with Bitpanda, having collaborated with the exchange on crypto payments infrastructure since at least mid-2024. The bank’s corporate division will spearhead Deutsche’s crypto custody services, offering institutional-grade secure storage for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. While the bank has not officially confirmed the development, people familiar with the initiative have indicated that internal work is well underway.

Deutsche Bank is no stranger to the cryptocurrency sector and has been inclined to explore various markets in the space over the past years. It floated plans to step into the crypto custody market as early as 2020 and formally announced it two years later. Since then, Deutsche Bank has been giving hints that it’s interested in integrating blockchain infrastructure and digital assets into its broader banking services. In recent months, the bank has ramped up exploration of stablecoins and tokenized deposits.

Last month, Sabih Behzad, Deutsche Bank’s head of digital assets, said the bank was assessing a number of crypto-related services ranging from issuing its own stablecoin to participating in existing stablecoin initiatives. According to Behzad, the bank has doubled down on its crypto ambitions, especially as regulatory clarity across the globe has improved considerably over the past years, and stablecoins, in particular, have seen increased momentum in key jurisdictions. Deutsche Bank views this as an opportunity to position itself at the forefront of this global shift by offering infrastructure that bridges traditional finance with blockchain-based assets.

Deutsche Bank is also engaged in blockchain infrastructure work under an initiative known as Project Dama 2. Announced late last year and confirmed earlier this month, the bank is said to be developing a Layer 2 network on Ethereum using ZKsync technology, which will address regulatory concerns associated with public blockchains to make onboarding for traditional institutions easier. The bank is also part of an asset tokenization initiative led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, exploring real-world use cases for tokenized assets and institutional blockchain applications.

This initiative aligns with Deutsche Bank's broader efforts to integrate blockchain technology into its financial services, positioning the bank as a leader in the evolving digital asset landscape. By partnering with Bitpanda and Taurus, the bank aims to provide a secure and seamless storage solution for its customers' crypto assets. This move is a strategic step by Deutsche Bank to capitalize on the growing institutional interest in digital assets, further solidifying its position in the crypto market.