Deutsche Bank is weeks away from introducing a regulated cryptocurrency custody service in Germany, initially focused on Bitcoin and Ether for selected institutional and corporate clients. The move forms part of a broader digital asset strategy outlined by bank executives during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Bangkok.

Gerald Podobnik, co-head of the bank’s corporate banking division, confirmed the timeline. The service will manage clients’ wallets and private keys, allowing institutions to hold digital assets through a regulated lender rather than building their own infrastructure. Availability remains subject to final regulatory completion and technical readiness under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework.

Initial Focus on Major Cryptocurrencies

The first phase centers on major cryptocurrencies, specifically Bitcoin and Ether. Product materials released in September also list stablecoins such as USDC, EURC and EURAU among assets planned for custody. Holding these tokens does not automatically include conversion services at launch.

Later stages will introduce capabilities that allow clients to move funds into and out of mainstream stablecoins. Custody and transfer functions form the core of the initial offering. Fiat conversion is not part of the starting capabilities.

Eligible clients will face due diligence and risk criteria. The service is designed for corporate and institutional users drawn from the Corporate Bank and Investment Bank units. It is not intended as a retail product for ordinary account holders. Custodied digital assets are not covered by deposit guarantee schemes.

Broader Digital Asset Ambitions

Beyond custody, Deutsche Bank plans to develop tokenized deposits and to support clients issuing blockchain-based securities, including digital bonds. These products are positioned as complements to existing banking services rather than replacements.

Podobnik linked the initiative to the growth of the digital economy, noting hundreds of billions of dollars held in stablecoins. The bank has worked with technology partners, including the Swiss firm Taurus, which received investment support in prior years, to build the required infrastructure.

The custody offering sits inside the Corporate Bank, aligning digital assets with payments, liquidity management and related services for companies and financial institutions.

Growth Targets and Asian Expansion

The digital asset push supports Deutsche Bank’s goal of achieving 8 percent compound annual growth in corporate banking by 2028. After the German launch, the bank intends to extend the custody platform to major Asian financial centers in 2027. Specific markets have not been named.

Deutsche Bank first publicly outlined the digital asset custody solution in mid-September, describing it as targeting European institutional and corporate clients subject to regulatory timelines. The more precise “within weeks” timetable emerged from executive comments in mid-October.

The bank has not announced a firm go-live date, named its first clients, or detailed fee structures or expected volumes. Confirmation of completed onboarding, initial deposits or processed transfers would provide clearer operational signals.

Regulatory Context

Under applicable European rules, custody providers must maintain written client agreements, custody policies, position registers and asset safeguards. Deutsche Bank materials describe the use of hardware security modules, warm and cold storage, multi-person approvals and segregation of client assets.

Germany serves as the home market, with potential cross-border European servicing subject to relevant requirements. Expansion into Asia will depend on local licensing and regulatory conditions in each jurisdiction.

Other major banks have similarly moved into direct crypto custody in recent periods, treating the service as a foundational step before adding related digital asset capabilities.