Clearstream, the Luxembourg-based post-trade business of Deutsche Börse Group, has expanded its custody service portfolio to include crypto assets. The company on Tuesday 11 March 2025 that it would offer institutional investors settlement and custody services for digital assets. Crypto Finance, another Deutsche Börse Group entity, will act as the sub-custodian. The service is set for launch in April 2025.
In January, Crypto Finance laid the groundwork for this initiative by securing the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation (Mica) licence, allowing the company to serve clients across Europe while ensuring regulatory compliance. This development reflects Deutsche Börse Group’s strategy of balancing innovation with security in the digital financial markets.
Jens Hachmeister, head of issuer services and new digital markets at Clearstream, stated that offering crypto custody was a significant step in the digitisation of financial markets. He highlighted that the institutional-grade solution would provide clients with secure and rapid access to digital assets, while integrating with Clearstream’s established post-trading systems. Hachmeister further noted that the partnership with Crypto Finance reinforced Deutsche Börse Group’s position in preparing crypto assets for broader adoption.
Stijn Vander Straeten, CEO of Crypto Finance Group, emphasised that Deutsche Börse Group now covered both native crypto services through direct interfaces and traditional financial infrastructure, simplifying the process for financial institutions entering the crypto market. Sub-custody will be provided by Crypto Finance (Deutschland) GMBH. Clients of Clearstream’s International Central Securities Depository (ICSD) will be able to access cryptocurrency custody and settlement via their existing accounts at Clearstream Banking SA.
According to the announcement, Clearstream’s custody and settlement service will allow institutional investors to conduct cryptocurrency trading activity at any time across multiple trading venues. Initially, the service will support Bitcoin and Ethereum, the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation. Expansion into additional cryptocurrencies will be considered, based on client demand.