Top Banks Offering Crypto Custody Services in 2026

Crypto custody banks are regulated banks that safeguard digital assets on behalf of clients, holding the private keys and keeping client assets segregated from the bank’s own balance sheet. Since 2025, more global banks have entered this market, driven by clearer rules such as the EU’s MiCA regulation and the SEC’s withdrawal of SAB 121 in the US. This guide covers the leading crypto custody banks by region in 2026 and how institutions should evaluate them.

Crypto Custody Banks by Region

United States

BNY launched its digital asset custody platform in October 2022, allowing select institutional clients to hold and transfer Bitcoin and Ether. It remains one of the longest-running custody services at a major US bank.

Citi announced in early 2026 that it would launch institutional Bitcoin custody during the year, letting clients hold Bitcoin in the same safekeeping accounts as their securities and cash.

State Street has been reported to be preparing a crypto custody launch for 2026, building on its State Street Digital unit and partnerships with custody technology firms Copper and Taurus.

Morgan Stanley applied to the OCC in February 2026 for a national trust bank charter for a new entity intended to offer custody, trading, staking, and stablecoin services.

Anchorage Digital Bank became the first federally chartered digital asset bank in the US in January 2021 and focuses solely on crypto custody and related services.

Europe

Deutsche Bank has been reported to plan a digital asset custody service for 2026, developed with Bitpanda and Taurus.

BBVA has offered Bitcoin trading and custody in Switzerland since 2021. In March 2025, Spain’s CNMV approved it to offer Bitcoin and Ether trading and custody to retail clients in Spain, using its own custody platform under the MiCA framework.

AMINA Bank, regulated by Switzerland’s FINMA, is a crypto-native bank that integrates custody directly into its core banking services.

Middle East and Asia-Pacific

Standard Chartered launched digital asset custody in the UAE in September 2024, licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority and starting with Bitcoin and Ether. In May 2026, it launched what it described as Hong Kong’s first institutional crypto custody service offered by a global systemically important bank, working with partner AXG. Standard Chartered also co-founded the custodian Zodia Custody with Northern Trust in 2020.

DBS in Singapore holds clients’ digital assets within the bank in institutional-grade cold wallets, separate from its DBS Digital Exchange trading venue. It also offers crypto-linked options and structured notes to eligible institutional and private banking clients.

Launch timelines and service scope can change, so confirm current availability with each bank before making a decision.

How to Evaluate a Crypto Custody Bank

Licensing and jurisdiction. Check which regulator supervises the custody service and where it is booked. A bank licensed in one country may not be able to serve clients in another, and rules under MiCA, Hong Kong’s regime, or US federal and state law differ significantly.

Asset segregation. Client assets should be held separately from the bank’s own assets and protected if the bank becomes insolvent. Ask how the legal structure handles this and whether it has been tested.

Key management technology. Many banks rely on specialist providers for key storage and signing. Understand whether keys are held in hardware security modules, split with MPC, or protected by trusted execution environments, and who can approve a withdrawal.

Supported assets and networks. Some banks start with only Bitcoin and Ether. If you need stablecoins on multiple chains or newer tokens, confirm support before onboarding.

Operational access. Bank custody often follows business hours and manual approval processes. If you need to move funds at any time, check settlement windows and how quickly withdrawals are processed.

Audits and insurance. Look for independent attestations such as SOC reports, and clarify what insurance covers and its limits.

Bank Custody or Self-Custody?

Bank custody suits institutions that mainly hold assets long term and want them managed alongside traditional securities. Exchanges, payment companies, and market makers that move funds around the clock often prefer MPC self-custody, where they keep their own key shares and set their own approval rules. Many institutions combine both: reserves with a custodian bank, operating funds in self-custody. For a closer look at how banks are entering the market, see our article Which Banks Offer Crypto Wallets?

The infrastructure behind bank custody matters as much as the bank’s brand. Safeheron has contributed this kind of infrastructure to banking and digital currency projects, including key security and controlled recovery for Hong Kong’s e-HKD pilot, and co-authored a white paper with ZA Bank on e-HKD, tokenized deposits, and stablecoins. Read more in Safeheron Supports Hong Kong’s Digital Currency Exploration.

FAQ

Which bank is best for crypto custody?

There is no single best bank. US institutions often look at BNY and, as their services launch, Citi and State Street. In the Middle East and Hong Kong, Standard Chartered is a leading option, while DBS serves eligible clients in Singapore. The right choice depends on your jurisdiction, the assets you hold, and how often you need to move funds.

Can banks legally hold crypto for clients?

Yes, in many jurisdictions, provided the bank holds the appropriate licence or approval. In the US, the withdrawal of SAB 121 removed a major accounting barrier. In the EU, MiCA sets out a framework for crypto asset custody.

Is bank custody safer than self-custody?

Not necessarily. Bank custody adds regulatory oversight but relies on a third party controlling your keys. Self-custody with MPC removes single points of failure while keeping control with you, but requires strong internal governance.

Conclusion

The list of crypto custody banks has grown quickly. BNY, Standard Chartered, and DBS already offer custody, while Citi, State Street, Deutsche Bank, and Morgan Stanley are expanding into the market. When choosing among them, look beyond the brand to licensing, asset segregation, key management, and operational access.

Safeheron’s MPC Wallet-as-a-Service gives institutions bank-grade security while keeping control of their own keys. Comparing custody options for your institution? Contact Safeheron’s Sales Team to Book a 1:1 Demo