Citi to Integrate Bitcoin with Traditional Finance, Launch Custody Services
Citi is preparing to introduce infrastructure that integrates Bitcoin into traditional financial systems, a bank executive said Thursday.
Clients will not need to manage wallets, private keys, or one-time addresses, Surendran said, as Citi will handle those processes through its infrastructure.
In December 2025, Citi analysts forecasted that bitcoin could reach $143,000 in 2026, with a bullish scenario above $189,000 and a bearish case near $78,500, citing increased adoption through ETFs and supportive U.S. regulation.
At the time, bitcoin traded around $88,000, down 30% from its October peak. Bitcoin is now trading below $67,000. Bitcoin jumped a lot yesterday but has since been giving back some of its gains.
Morgan Stanley wants in on the bitcoin fun
Yesterday at Strategy World, Morgan Stanley also outlined plans to expand its digital asset offerings, including launching a native crypto custody and exchange platform.
The bank will initially allow E-Trade clients to buy and sell spot cryptocurrencies through a partnership, while a fully integrated platform is expected over the next year.
The planned custody solution would give clients legal control of their assets under Morgan Stanley’s oversight, though some may continue self-custody, especially for Bitcoin.
The firm also said they are exploring crypto yield and lending products, leveraging its $8 trillion asset base to bring off-platform holdings onto its platform.
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