
UniCredit Bank is in early-stage discussions to source technology for digital asset trading, custody, and tokenized investment products, joining other major global banks in exploring blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
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Major global banks are increasingly integrating digital asset services, including custody and stablecoin payments, into their traditional banking offerings.
UniCredit Bank is seeking a technology provider that would allow it to build infrastructure for digital asset trading, custody and access to tokenized investment products.
The Italian bank’s discussions are still in the early stages, with areas of interest including crypto custody and brokerage capabilities, tokenized investment products and stablecoin-based fixed-income securities, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg on Friday.
Cointelegraph has approached UniCredit for comment on what technology provider might fill this infrastructure gap.
Some of the biggest banks are experimenting with digital asset and stablecoin infrastructure, including America’s fifth–largest commercial bank, U.S. Bank, which completed a live cross-border payment using its proprietary USBDC stablecoin on Wednesday.
On Sept. 3, London-headquartered multinational bank Standard Chartered launched spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) trading for institutional clients in the United Arab Emirates. The bank previously launched digital asset custody services in the region in September 2024.
In August, Israel’s largest bank, Leumi, partnered with Galaxy Digital to offer customers Bitcoin, Ether and Solana (SOL) trading through the bank’s investment platform, with the launch expected in early 2027.

BitMine Immersion Technologies has accumulated a stake equivalent to 11.8% of Ethereum's active network, yet the firm has not disclosed which entities control the validator signing keys, complicating assessments of consensus influence and network security.

US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $282.6 million in net outflows on Thursday, the largest daily decline since July 13. ARK 21Shares led the outflows with $164 million, while spot Ether and Solana ETFs also experienced net losses.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued a warning regarding prediction markets, citing risks of insider trading and manipulation. While U.S. platforms see massive growth, EU rules largely restrict these products for retail investors.

Robinhood reported a 61% month-on-month increase in crypto trading volume to $17.5 billion for August 2026. Bitstamp contributed $10.1 billion, while the Robinhood app generated $7.4 billion. Despite the monthly growth, volumes remain lower than August 2025 figures.

Real-world asset (RWA) perpetual futures volume reached $799.5 billion in August. Trading venues are adopting unified portfolio margin accounts, allowing diverse collateral types, which creates new liquidation risks during market stress.

Albuquerque city council passed an ordinance banning crypto kiosks and cashier-facilitated virtual currency transactions, giving operators a 45-day removal deadline. Officials cited high fraud rates, joining a wave of similar U.S. state and local restrictions.