Bitcoin and Ethereum Custody Moves Into the Institutional Arena — Supported by Clearstream’s Worldwide Strength

Deutsche Börse Group, via its post-trade arm Clearstream, plans to introduce custody and settlement solutions for institutional investors in digital assets starting April 2025. This move demonstrates a strategic effort to address rising market demand for regulated digital asset infrastructure. Initially, the service will cover

and , the top two cryptocurrencies by market cap. More than 2,500 institutional clients will be able to use these offerings through their current Clearstream Banking S.A. (Luxembourg, CBL) accounts, utilizing established connectivity channels like SWIFT.

This custody and settlement platform will rely on Crypto Finance AG, a subsidiary majority-owned by Deutsche Börse Group and regulated by Switzerland’s FINMA. Crypto Finance acquired a MiCAR (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) license in January 2025, granting it the ability to operate throughout Europe in compliance with regulatory standards. Jens Hachmeister, Head of Issuer Services & New Digital Markets at Clearstream, stated that this launch marks a major milestone in the ongoing digitization of financial markets. The regulated, institutional-grade solution enables clients to access emerging asset categories while benefiting from Clearstream’s robust post-trade infrastructure.

The integration of digital assets into traditional finance is becoming increasingly apparent across Europe. The rollout of MiCA, fully effective from December 30, 2024, has fueled greater institutional interest in regulated crypto offerings. For example, Boerse Stuttgart Digital became Germany’s first digital asset provider to secure a full MiCA license in January 2025. These regulatory changes have created a more supportive landscape for established

to explore digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Looking forward, Clearstream intends to broaden its digital asset services beyond just custody and settlement. Plans include launching staking, lending, and brokerage options for cryptocurrencies. Stijn Vander Straeten, CEO of Crypto Finance, pointed out that this initiative gives Deutsche Börse Group a unique position in the digital asset sector. The combination of traditional financial systems and native crypto services makes this solution especially appealing for institutional investors seeking easy access to the cryptocurrency market.

The global uptake of digital assets by institutions is accelerating. In the United States, large banks such as

and are expanding their exposure to Bitcoin through ETFs, reflecting a growing acceptance of digital assets within mainstream finance. In Europe, MiCA has brought the regulatory certainty traditional institutions need to engage more actively with digital currencies. As a result, demand from international banking clients for crypto services has surged since these new rules were enacted.

Clearstream, with over €21 trillion in assets under custody, stands among the world’s leading post-trade service providers. Its move into Bitcoin custody is a notable development for traditional finance and highlights the increasing integration of digital assets into established financial systems. This step reaffirms Deutsche Börse Group’s commitment to innovation, security, and regulatory compliance in the evolving digital asset landscape.