Deutsche Börse Launches Crypto Custody Service for Institutional Investors

Deutsche Börse launches crypto custody through Clearstream, providing institutional investors with secure settlement for Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Clearstream to Offer Secure Crypto Settlement for Bitcoin and Ethereum

Deutsche Börse Group has announced the launch of a new crypto custody service through its post-trade arm, Clearstream. The initiative, set to go live in April, will provide institutional investors with a secure and regulated solution for storing and settling digital assets, starting with Bitcoin and Ethereum.

A Milestone for Institutional Crypto Adoption

The launch follows Clearstream’s collaboration with Crypto Finance, a subsidiary of Deutsche Börse Group. Crypto Finance recently obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) license, ensuring compliance with European regulations.

Jens Hachmeister, Head of Issuer Services & New Digital Markets at Clearstream, emphasized the importance of this move:

Offering crypto custody is the next step on Clearstream’s journey to digitize financial markets. The institutional-grade, regulatory-compliant solution offers clients easy and quick access to new asset classes while enjoying the best features of our trusted and established post-trading systems.

The new service will allow Clearstream’s International Central Securities Depository (ICSD) clients to access crypto custody through their existing accounts, eliminating the need for additional technical integrations.

Deutsche Börse Expands Its Digital Asset Offerings

Deutsche Börse first entered the cryptocurrency market in June 2021 by acquiring a majority stake in Crypto Finance AG. Since then, it has expanded its digital asset services, including the launch of the Deutsche Börse Digital Exchange (DBDX) in March 2024. The exchange enables institutional investors to trade Bitcoin and Ethereum while offering custody and settlement solutions.

Stijn Vander Straeten, CEO of Crypto Finance Group, highlighted the strategic advantage of the new offering:

This offering puts Deutsche Börse Group in a position second to none in the digital assets industry. We are now not only covering native services via direct interface but also leveraging traditional financial infrastructure, making it a convenient solution for institutions looking to enter the crypto market.

Bridging Traditional Finance and Digital Assets

The launch of Clearstream’s crypto custody service reinforces Deutsche Börse’s commitment to integrating digital assets into traditional financial markets. By offering a regulatory-compliant solution with high security standards, the company is positioning itself as a key player in institutional crypto adoption.

With increasing demand for institutional crypto services, this initiative could pave the way for broader acceptance of digital assets in mainstream financial markets.

Institutional investors interested in accessing Clearstream’s crypto custody service can learn more through Deutsche Börse’s official channels.