UniCredit Eyes Digital Asset Expansion with Custody and Brokerage Plans

Italian bank UniCredit is exploring digital asset infrastructure to expand its crypto-related offerings. The bank is evaluating technology providers for custody and brokerage services, including tokenized investments, fixed-income assets, and stablecoins.

The plans align with Europe's expanding MiCA framework, which establishes common requirements for crypto-asset services and stablecoin issuers across the European Union.

UniCredit has already demonstrated its interest in digital assets through previous initiatives, such as offering professional clients a structured product linked to BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF in July 2025.

The bank is also part of Qivalis, a European banking consortium developing a euro-denominated stablecoin. The consortium targets the second half of 2026 for the stablecoin launch, subject to regulatory approval from the Dutch central bank.