Citibank to Launch Bitcoin Custody for Institutions in 2026 with 24/7 Operations and SWIFT Integration

Citibank will launch a Bitcoin custody solution for institutional clients in 2026, integrating digital assets into its core banking infrastructure, BlockBeats reports. Nisha Surendran, head of digital asset custody, disclosed the plan on Feb. 27 at an industry event, stating the service will feature institutional-grade custody with key management and wallet systems, 24/7 operations, SWIFT messaging and API integration, and extend tax reporting, compliance management and risk controls to Bitcoin holdings so institutions can manage them like stocks or bonds. Citi, which oversees approximately $30 trillion in assets, intends to launch core custody first, followed by advanced offerings such as asset segregation and collateral management. Industry experts say the initiative could encourage more traditional capital allocation to Bitcoin, while cautioning that regulatory evolution and cybersecurity remain important hurdles.