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    Nidhi is a Certified Digital Marketing Executive and Passionate crypto Journalist covering the world of alternative currencies. She shares the latest and trending news on Cryptocurrency and Blockchain.

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The Next Big Crypto Players? U.S. Banks Are Making Their Move

Story Highlights
  • Major U.S. banks, including Citigroup, BNY Mellon, and State Street, are expanding into crypto custody services.

  • Regulatory delays from the Federal Reserve and NYDFS are slowing banks' entry into full crypto trading.

  • More financial giants like Morgan Stanley-backed E-Trade and Goldman Sachs are considering crypto services, but regulatory clarity remains crucial.

The U.S. crypto market is heating up again, and this time, it’s not just retail traders. With President Donald Trump ’s return, hopes for clearer regulations are reigniting interest across Wall Street. But here’s where it gets interesting – major banks, once hesitant about crypto, are now making big moves into digital asset services.

Why now? Let’s understand.

Major Banks Move into Crypto Custody

Crypto reporter Yueqi Yang recently highlighted the growing interest of U.S. banks in crypto, especially in custody services. Some of the country’s largest financial institutions are taking advantage of regulatory shifts under Trump to enter the market.

Citigroup is reportedly considering offering crypto custody services, according to The Information. This follows the bank’s successful proof-of-concept project, where it issued and stored tokenized private equity funds on a blockchain network.

With $2.4 trillion in assets, Citigroup is now joining other major financial firms in the expanding digital asset custody space.

Global Banks Expand Their Crypto Services

Several major banks worldwide are also strengthening their crypto offerings:

  • BNY Mellon is broadening its custody services beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
  • Standard Chartered has launched a digital asset custody service in Dubai.
  • HSBC is planning an institutional-grade custody solution.
  • Crédit Agricole and Banco Santander secured regulatory approval in France for their joint crypto custody venture.
  • State Street, which manages $44.3 trillion in assets, has partnered with Taurus to provide crypto custody and tokenization services for institutional investors.

Regulatory Delays Slow Progress

While Coinbase is in talks with banks to offer custody and trading services, many institutions are still waiting for approval from the Federal Reserve and the New York Department of Financial Services. This regulatory delay is preventing them from fully entering the crypto market, according to The Information’s Yueqi Yang.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently stated that U.S. banks with strong risk management could serve crypto clients. However, concerns remain over “debanking” linked to new technologies. Powell has promised to work with Congress to address these challenges.

More Banks Eye Crypto Opportunities

Despite regulatory hurdles, more banks are exploring crypto services. In January, Morgan Stanley-backed E-Trade hinted at entering the market, while Goldman Sachs said it would consider digital asset operations if regulations allow.

With more financial giants stepping into crypto, the industry’s expansion hinges on regulatory clarity in the coming months.

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For now, the doors to crypto banking are cracking open. How wide they swing depends on regulators.

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