UniCredit considers crypto asset custody and brokerage business; seeks technology partners

UniCredit is evaluating cryptocurrency custody and brokerage services and seeking technology providers to build the underlying infrastructure.

According to Bloomberg News on September 11, 2026, citing people familiar with the matter, UniCredit Italy is considering providing cryptocurrency custody and brokerage services and is looking for technology providers to build the corresponding underlying infrastructure. The relevant plan is still in its early stages, and a specific launch date or selected supplier has not yet been determined.

Summary of core points

• UniCredit is weighing whether to provide cryptocurrency custody and brokerage services.
• The bank is looking for a technology provider to build the relevant infrastructure.
• Existing reports do not establish launch dates or selected service providers.

UniCredit explores digital assets

According to Bloomberg, UniCredit Italy is considering expanding into digital assets by providing custody and brokerage services. The report was written by Anna Irrera and Sonia Sirletti and was released at 7:15 a.m. UTC on September 11, 2026.

The proposed plan describes the architecture used to hold digital assets and the mechanisms to facilitate buying and selling transactions on behalf of customers. Bloomberg attributed the source to people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because they were discussing private information. Currently, neither service has been approved, launched or made available to customers. The report pointed out that custody and brokerage services are in a "under consideration" status rather than identified products.

UniCredit launches technology vendor selection

According to Bloomberg, UniCredit is running a technology vendor selection process aimed at building the systems needed to hold digital assets and facilitate transactions. The search is only one part of the plan and is not the final appointment result. As of now, no supplier names have been announced, and no agreements or signed partnerships have been confirmed. Selecting a supplier is just one step towards operational readiness.

In accordance with Article 73(1) of the European Union Cryptographic Asset Markets Regulation (MiCA), credit institutions that outsource operational functions remain fully responsible for their obligations. In addition, MiCA also provides banks with formal access to the road: According to MiCA Article 60(1), credit institutions can begin providing crypto asset services at least 40 working days in advance after notifying the competent authority of the home country of the required information. Currently, no notice or regulatory permission from UniCredit has been confirmed.

Minimum advance notice requirements under MiCA regulations

Under MiCA Article 60(1), credit institutions must notify the competent authority of their home country of the required information at least 40 working days before first providing crypto asset services. This is general regulatory background; as of now, no notices or regulatory approvals from UniCredit have been verified. (Source: EUR-Lex, Regulation (EU) 2023/1114)

Also worth noting are the limitations of MiCA's scope. Under MiCA Article 2(4)(a), crypto assets that qualify as financial instruments are excluded, so tokenized securities will not automatically fall under this regulatory framework. For the transition period for existing crypto asset service providers, according to MiCA Article 143(3), the latest deadline is July 1, 2026, but is subject to an earlier national deadline.

Past business associations

UniCredit has previously touched this asset class at the product level, associating investment certificates linked to Bitcoin trusts. Establishing a custody and brokerage system will bring the bank closer to the cryptocurrency brokerage function operated by professional cryptocurrency companies.

Unknowns about UniCrypto's crypto plan

Timing and service scope

Existing reports do not establish a timetable, target customer groups, asset types supported, geographical scope or pricing strategy. In addition, there was no official announcement or public confirmation; Bloomberg's report was based on anonymous sources.

According to unconfirmed information repeated by secondary media, tokenized investment products, fixed income securities and customer stablecoin applications may also be under consideration, but no final decision has been made yet. These additional details are not visible in accessible Bloomberg excerpts and should be treated with caution.

The lack of these specific details reflects the limitations of the current report rather than proving that UniCredit did not make any disclosures. Similar issues are unfolding in various markets, from U.S. approval requests to evolving British encryption rules. Please pay close attention to any official MiCA notices or designated technology partners as the next specific signal.

Disclaimer : This article is for reference only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. There are significant risks in the cryptocurrency and digital asset markets. Before making a decision, be sure to study it yourself.