Citi is making ready to introduce infrastructure that integrates Bitcoin into conventional monetary programs, a financial institution govt mentioned Thursday.
The initiative, launched by Nisha Surendran, head of digital asset custody growth at Citi, goals to supply institutional-grade custody, key administration, and pockets providers for shoppers holding the cryptocurrency.
Talking at Technique World, an business 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 programs, and simplifying shopper entry to digital belongings.
“Later this 12 months, Citi will probably 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 permit shoppers to handle Bitcoin positions alongside conventional belongings. Citi manages roughly $30 trillion in shopper belongings throughout securities and cash market merchandise.
The financial institution plans to increase the identical reporting channels, tax workflows, and compliance frameworks at the moment used for conventional belongings to Bitcoin holdings.
Shoppers won’t must handle wallets, personal keys, or one-time addresses, Surendran mentioned, as Citi will deal with these processes by way of its infrastructure.
In December 2025, Citi analysts forecasted that bitcoin may attain $143,000 in 2026, with a bullish state of affairs above $189,000 and a bearish case close to $78,500, citing elevated adoption by way of 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 so much yesterday however has since been giving again a few of its positive aspects.
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 change platform.
The financial institution will initially permit E-Commerce shoppers to purchase and promote spot cryptocurrencies by way of a partnership, whereas a totally built-in platform is predicted over the subsequent 12 months.
The deliberate custody resolution would give shoppers authorized management of their belongings underneath 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 deliver off-platform holdings onto its platform.
