UniCredit Seeks Partner for Crypto Infrastructure Build

UniCredit is seeking an infrastructure partner to support digital asset trading and custody. The Italian bank is in the early stages of identifying a technology provider. The scope includes access to tokenized investment products and stablecoin-based fixed-income securities. People familiar with the matter said the discussions are ongoing. The bank aims to build a comprehensive framework for digital asset operations.

Early discussions define the scope

The proposed infrastructure would cover crypto custody and brokerage capabilities. Tokenized investment products are also part of the interest. Stablecoin-based fixed-income securities represent another key area. The bank has not yet selected a specific vendor. These talks are described as being in the initial phase. Cointelegraph has approached UniCredit for comment on the potential partner.

Major banks expand digital asset roles

Other large financial institutions are actively testing similar infrastructure. U.S. Bank completed a live cross-border payment using its proprietary USBDC stablecoin. This occurred on Wednesday. The bank is the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. Standard Chartered launched spot Bitcoin and Ether trading for institutional clients in the United Arab Emirates. This launch took place on September 3. The bank previously started digital asset custody services in that region in September 2024.

New partnerships drive market entry

Leumi, Israel's largest bank, has partnered with Galaxy Digital. This collaboration aims to offer Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana trading. The service will be available through the bank's investment platform. The launch is expected in early 2027. These moves indicate a broader trend among major banks. They are integrating digital assets into their core service offerings. The report on these developments was provided by GN markets/crypto (en-US).