Deutsche Bank is preparing to launch its first digital asset custody service in Germany in the coming weeks, with plans to expand into Asian financial centres in 2027. The initial service will support major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ether, before the bank broadens its offering to stablecoin transactions. It also plans to introduce tokenised deposits and help corporate clients issue blockchain-based securities, including digital bonds.
Key Overview
- Initial launch: Germany, expected in the coming weeks, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.
- Asian expansion: Planned for 2027.
- Initial assets: Bitcoin and Ether, with selected digital assets included in the planned custody offering.
- Future services: Stablecoin transactions, tokenised deposits and blockchain-based securities.
- Corporate banking target: 8% compound annual growth by 2028.
- Strategic objective: Integrate regulated digital asset services into traditional banking.
Deutsche Bank Moves Into Crypto Custody
Deutsche Bank is preparing to enter the digital asset custody market as Germany’s biggest lender seeks to expand its services for corporate and institutional clients. The bank expects to launch its first digital asset service in Germany within weeks, followed by expansion into Asian financial centres in 2027.
The move was outlined by Gerald Podobnik, co-head of Deutsche Bank’s corporate bank, during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Bangkok. He said the bank sees digital assets as an emerging area of financial activity that traditional institutions need to serve alongside existing banking products.
The planned launch marks a new phase in the bank’s digital asset strategy. In September 2026, Deutsche Bank announced its intention to provide regulated custody for selected digital assets to institutional and corporate clients in Europe, with the first clients expected to go live this year subject to regulatory timelines.
The latest announcement confirms that the bank is preparing to put that strategy into operation. Its initial service will focus on custody, allowing clients to hold digital assets through banking infrastructure rather than manage the entire process independently. The bank is weeks away from launching its first digital asset service, according to the October announcement.
Bitcoin and Ether to Lead the Initial Offering
The custody platform will initially support major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether. Crypto custody involves safeguarding digital assets and managing the associated wallets and private keys on behalf of clients.
For institutional investors and companies, a regulated bank custody service can provide a familiar financial-services channel for holding digital assets. It may also help organisations address operational and security requirements associated with managing cryptocurrencies directly.
Deutsche Bank plans to expand the service after the initial launch to help clients move money into and out of mainstream stablecoins. Stablecoins are digital assets designed to maintain a relatively stable value, commonly by tracking a currency such as the US dollar or euro.
The bank’s planned digital asset custody offering is intended for corporate and institutional clients, rather than being presented as a general retail crypto-trading service. Its scope will depend on the final rollout, supported assets and applicable regulatory requirements.
Asia Expansion Planned for 2027
After launching in Germany, Deutsche Bank intends to expand its digital asset custodian platform to several financial centres in Asia by 2027. The bank has not publicly specified in the cited announcement which Asian markets will be prioritised.
The planned expansion reflects the bank’s view that demand for digital asset services is growing across the financial system. Stablecoins, blockchain-based transactions and tokenised financial products are creating new ways for businesses to hold and transfer value.
Asia includes several international financial centres that could be potential markets for institutional custody and tokenisation services. However, expansion will require the bank to consider local licensing requirements, regulatory frameworks and customer demand in each market.
The rollout is expected to be gradual, beginning in Germany before moving into Asia. This staged approach allows the bank to establish its initial service before broadening its geographic reach.
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Tokenised Deposits and Digital Bonds in the Pipeline
Crypto custody is only one part of Deutsche Bank’s wider digital asset strategy. The bank also plans to offer tokenised deposits, which represent conventional bank deposits in digital-token form using blockchain technology.
In addition, it intends to help clients issue blockchain-based securities, including digital bonds. These products could allow parts of the issuance and management of financial instruments to take place using blockchain-based infrastructure.
Podobnik has described these services as additions to traditional banking, rather than replacements for existing products. The bank’s strategy is therefore to combine established banking relationships and controls with new digital infrastructure.
The plans form part of Deutsche Bank’s broader ambition to achieve a compounded annual growth of 8% in its corporate banking business through 2028. The growth target applies to the corporate banking business overall and should not be interpreted as a forecast for the crypto custody service alone.
Outlook
Deutsche Bank’s planned custody launch illustrates how traditional banks are expanding into regulated digital asset services as demand for institutional crypto infrastructure develops. Starting in Germany and targeting Asian financial centres in 2027 gives the bank a phased route into the market.
The next milestones will be the service’s launch, the range of supported assets and the identification of Asian markets for expansion. Tokenised deposits and digital bonds could broaden the offering over time, but their rollout and adoption remain to be seen.
The bank’s longer-term progress will depend on regulatory requirements, client demand and its ability to integrate digital asset products with its existing corporate banking services.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What crypto service is Deutsche Bank preparing to launch?
It is preparing a digital asset custody service for institutional and corporate clients, initially in Germany.
2. Which cryptocurrencies will be supported?
The initial offering is expected to support major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether, with the bank’s broader selected-asset offering subject to the final rollout.
3. When does Deutsche Bank plan to expand into Asia?
The bank plans to expand its custody platform into Asian financial centres in 2027, following the initial launch in Germany.
4. What other digital asset services is Deutsche Bank planning?
It plans to help clients move funds into and out of mainstream stablecoins, offer tokenised deposits and support the issuance of blockchain-based securities such as digital bonds.
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