UniCredit Expands Digital Asset Offerings with Crypto Custody and Brokerage Plans

Italian banking giant UniCredit is expanding its digital asset offerings by exploring crypto custody and brokerage services. The bank, which serves over 20 million customers across Europe, has begun evaluating a technology partner to safeguard digital assets and execute customer transactions.

UniCredit's foray into cryptocurrency products started with the introduction of a five-year Bitcoin-linked investment certificate in July 2025. The bank also facilitated Italy's first tokenized minibond on public blockchain infrastructure in December 2025, structuring a 5 million euro bond issuance for E4 Computer Engineering.

The bank is reviewing various service categories, including custody and trading operations, tokenized investment instruments, fixed-income products, and stablecoin implementations. UniCredit's current initiatives are aligned with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, which requires providers to obtain proper licensing for operations throughout the 30-nation European Economic Area.

Other major banks have implemented similar strategies, with Deutsche Bank partnering with Swiss company Taurus for digital asset storage solutions and BBVA providing Bitcoin trading services to private banking clients in Switzerland. Circle is also preparing for the September 16 debut of its Arc Layer-1 blockchain, which will utilize USDC as its native gas token.