- Deutsche Börse’s Clearstream to launch Bitcoin and Ethereum custody for 2,500 institutional clients by April 2025.
- Plans to expand into staking, lending, and brokerage services.
- Deutsche Börse bridges traditional finance and crypto with a fully regulated, secure solution.
Deutsche Börse’s post-trade services provider, Clearstream, is about to launch crypto custody and settlement for institutional investors in Germany by April 2025. This move marks a key step in compliant crypto services for the German market.
Initially, the feature will support Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) for 2,500 institutional clients. Plans are in place to expand into staking, lending, and brokerage services, further solidifying Germany’s position in institutional crypto offerings.
Germany’s Strict Stance on Crypto Crime
However, the path to institutional crypto adoption in Germany hasn’t been without hurdles. Security risks and regulatory uncertainty have been major concerns. In Sept 2024, German authorities took decisive action, shutting down 47 unauthorized crypto exchange services linked to money laundering and other criminal activities.
Investigators stated that these deactivated exchanges operated outside of KYC norms, making them safe havens for cybercriminals, including ransomware groups and darknet operators. Regulators also asserted that these unregulated platforms profited from laundering significant amounts of money.
Related: Germany Shuts Down 47 Illegal Crypto Exchanges, Seizes Millions
Clearstream Offers “Fully Compliant” Custody
It’s in this context that Deutsche Börse’s Clearstream aims to address the need for compliant services. They are offering “a fully compliant, institutional-grade custody solution” specifically designed to align with Germany’s strict financial standards. By utilizing its established “post-trade infrastructure,” Clearstream ensures institutional players can store and manage crypto assets with the same security and compliance as traditional securities.
Adding to Clearstream’s move, Commerzbank, another leading German bank, has already launched regulated crypto trading for its institutional clients. Commerzbank also offers Bitcoin and Ether trading services to its corporate clients through a partnership with Deutsche Boerse’s Crypto Finance unit. Having secured its crypto custody license in early 2023, Commerzbank is also set to provide compliant crypto custody services.
Related: Germany’s Upcoming Election Could Impact Bitcoin and Crypto
Additionally, Deutsche Boerse’s Crypto Finance had also made a similar deal with Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) in Switzerland.
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