UniCredit accelerates digital asset expansion and promotes cryptocurrency custody services

Article Highlights

UniCredit is evaluating its digital asset business, including crypto asset custody and brokerage services, and is seeking technology partners.

The financial institution previously launched an investment certificate linked to Bitcoin and issued Italy's first tokenized minibond on public blockchain infrastructure.

As a member of the Qivalis Alliance, UniCredit plans to launch a euro stablecoin that meets MiCA regulatory requirements on Ethereum by the end of 2026.

Circle's Arc Layer-1 blockchain will go online on September 16, using USDC as the main Gas token.

As BRICS countries continue to discuss digital currencies, the integration of central banks 'digital currencies (CBDCs) has become the focus, but specific plans are still in their preliminary stages.

UniCredit's current digital asset initiatives

UniCredit, one of Europe's leading banks, is evaluating its capabilities to launch crypto-asset custody and brokerage. According to Bloomberg, the bank has begun preliminary processes to find technology partners who can secure digital assets and execute customer transactions.

Market News: UniCredit, which manages US$34 billion in assets and serves more than 20 million customers, is exploring crypto asset custody, trading, tokenized investment and stablecoin services. Its core markets cover Italy, Germany, Austria and Central and Eastern Europe.

The bank has not yet made a final decision. The service categories being evaluated include custody and transaction operations, tokenized investment vehicles, fixed income products, and stablecoin implementation.

UniCredit's existing digital asset layout

UniCredit has entered the field of cryptocurrency products. In July 2025, the bank launched a five-year bitcoin-linked investment certificate for professional investors in Italy, which is linked to BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust and provides full capital protection with a maximum return of 85%.

In December 2025, UniCredit assisted E4 Computer Engineering in registering and issuing a € 5 million bond on the Polygon network, which was Italy's first tokenized mini bond issued on public blockchain infrastructure.

In addition, UniCredit is a member of Qivalis, a European banking union of 37 institutions. The alliance plans to launch a euro stablecoin that meets MiCA compliance requirements on Ethereum in the second half of 2026. The digital currency will be backed by euro deposits on a one-to-one basis.

All digital asset services must comply with the European Union Cryptographic Asset Markets Regulation (MiCA). The MiCA transition period ended on July 1, requiring service providers to obtain appropriate operating licenses throughout the 30-country European Economic Area.

Other major competitors have adopted similar strategies. Deutsche Bank has established a partnership with Swiss company Taurus for digital asset storage solutions;BBVA currently provides Bitcoin trading services to Swiss private bank customers; Israel's Leumi Bank has partnered with Galaxy to handle Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana transactions and custody operations, with a target to launch in 2027.

On September 8, UniCredit acquired a minority stake in VC Trade. VC Trade is a Frankfurt platform that focuses on the digitization of bonds and loans and has processed more than 600 transactions worth more than 90 billion euros.

BRICS digital currency discussions continue as Arc launches

Circle is preparing to launch its Arc Layer-1 blockchain on September 16 as traditional banks expand their cryptocurrency infrastructure. Arc uses USDC as a native Gas token and provides transaction certainty in less than a second.

The launch of the platform coincides with the U.S. Senate's procedural vote on the CLARITY Act scheduled for September 15. Circle said that regardless of the outcome of the legislation, Arc's release will proceed as planned.

The total supply of the stablecoin market currently remains at US$308 billion, and the settlement volume as of March reached US$7.5 trillion.

At this week's BRICS summit in New Delhi, participating countries explored the possibility of connecting their central bank digital currencies to reduce reliance on traditional banking infrastructure. As the summit chair, India opposes a unified BRICS currency and prefers a bilateral CBDC link framework.

The New Delhi Declaration adopted on September 12 made CBDC interoperability a priority. However, Sanjay Malhotra, governor of the Reserve Bank of India, admitted that the project is still in the feasibility assessment stage.