Citigroup Ventures into Crypto Custody with New Digital Asset Services, Partnering with Payoneer
August 15, 2025
Citigroup's initiatives align with upcoming regulations like the GENIUS Act and BITCOIN Act, positioning it to serve clients navigating an evolving legal landscape.
The US stablecoin market exceeds $280 billion, with increasing demand for Bitcoin ETFs, exemplified by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust holding around $100 billion as of August 2025.
The bank has partnered with Payoneer to integrate blockchain and token services into cross-border transactions, improving speed and efficiency for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Despite regulatory and market challenges, Citi's reputable status may give it an advantage in attracting customers to its new digital asset services.
Citigroup is exploring new digital asset services, including custody and payment solutions for stablecoins, as well as protecting assets for cryptocurrency ETFs, marking a significant step into institutional crypto custody.
This move is driven by clearer regulations and rising demand from corporate clients, prompting Citigroup to develop secure, compliant digital asset management solutions.
This move could enhance liquidity, security, and efficiency in digital asset transactions, potentially transforming market dynamics and encouraging broader institutional adoption.
This development reflects a broader trend of traditional financial institutions increasing their participation in crypto markets in 2025, aiming to bridge legacy finance with digital assets.
Citigroup’s cautious approach emphasizes security and regulatory compliance, including adherence to anti-money laundering and foreign currency regulations, despite technological ambitions.
The bank’s platform, Citi Token Services (CTS), offers scalable, compliant solutions for tokenized assets, aligning with proposed regulations like the GENIUS Act.
Industry analysts see this as a potential turning point for institutional blockchain infrastructure, addressing regulatory and operational concerns.
Citigroup already operates blockchain-based USD token transfers among major financial hubs and is considering issuing its own stablecoin to expand its infrastructure.
Summary based on 14 sources