Deutsche Börse’s Clearstream to Launch Bitcoin and Ethereum Custody for Institutions in 2025

Deutsche Börse Group’s Clearstream is gearing up to introduce cryptocurrency custody and settlement services tailored for institutional clients in April 2025. This move comes as demand for regulated digital asset infrastructure continues to grow across Europe.

Initially, Clearstream will offer custody for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to its 2,500 institutional clients through its existing accounts at Clearstream Banking SA. The services will be facilitated by Crypto Finance AG, a Swiss subsidiary of Deutsche Börse that has been a key player in digital asset management since the group acquired a majority stake in 2021.

Clearstream plans to expand its offerings to include other cryptocurrencies and services like staking, lending, and brokerage capabilities. Jens Hachmeister, head of issuer services and new digital markets at Clearstream, described the initiative as a “one-stop shop around custody, brokerage, and settlement,” emphasizing its potential to integrate seamlessly with traditional financial systems.

This development aligns with the growing institutional push toward regulated crypto services following the implementation of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). MiCA went into full effect for crypto service providers on December 30, 2024, setting a clear regulatory framework for digital asset operations.

Clearstream’s offering follows Boerse Stuttgart Digital Custody’s milestone of becoming Germany’s first licensed crypto asset service provider under MiCA earlier this year. The move highlights the increasing focus on creating secure and compliant infrastructure for banks, brokers, and asset managers entering the crypto space.

While MiCA is widely seen as a positive step for global crypto regulation, some experts have expressed concerns about overregulation potentially driving smaller firms out of Europe and increasing scrutiny on retail investors.

With this launch, Deutsche Börse Group continues its journey to digitize financial markets while balancing innovation with security. As institutional interest in crypto grows, Rapidz can soon help pave the way for broader adoption of digital assets across Europe, in compliance with MICA regulation.