Deutsche Börse Launches Crypto Custody With Clearstream for Institutional Investors

Deutsche Börse is launching a crypto custody service through Clearstream, enabling institutional investors to securely store and settle cryptocurrencies.

Deutsche Börse Announces New Crypto Custody Service

Deutsche Börse Group announced on March 11 that its post-trade services arm, Clearstream, will launch a new crypto custody solution for institutional investors. Partnering with Crypto Finance, also part of Deutsche Börse Group, Clearstream aims to provide secure settlement and custody services for digital assets. Deutsche Börse is a German-based financial marketplace organizer and one of the world’s leading exchange groups.

The offering, expected to go live in April, will initially support bitcoin and ethereum, with plans for further expansion based on client demand. This initiative follows Crypto Finance’s receipt of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) license in January, ensuring regulatory compliance across Europe.

Jens Hachmeister, Head of Issuer Services & New Digital Markets at Clearstream, underscored the significance of the initiative: “Offering crypto custody is the next step on Clearstream’s journey to digitize financial markets. The institutional-grade, regulatory compliant solution offers clients easy and quick access to new asset classes while enjoying the best features of our trusted and established post-trading systems.” The executive added:

We are thrilled to collaborate with Crypto Finance, leveraging the strength of our global Deutsche Börse Group portfolio to make crypto assets ready for mass adoption.

Deutsche Börse entered the cryptocurrency market by acquiring a majority stake in Crypto Finance AG in June 2021, providing institutional clients with regulated access to digital assets. Expanding its offerings, it launched the Deutsche Börse Digital Exchange (DBDX) on March 5, 2024, in collaboration with Crypto Finance. This regulated spot trading platform enables institutional investors to trade bitcoin and ether while offering custody and settlement services.

The new service will enable clients of Clearstream’s International Central Securities Depository (ICSD) to access cryptocurrency custody and settlement through their existing accounts without requiring additional technical integrations.

Stijn Vander Straeten, CEO of Crypto Finance Group, highlighted the company’s competitive position with this offering: “This offering puts Deutsche Börse Group in a position second to none in the digital assets industry.” The Crypto Finance executive noted:

We are now not only covering native services via direct interface, but also leverage traditional rails that are implemented with most financial market participants, meaning a very convenient offering to any financial institution who wishes to enter the crypto industry.

The collaboration reinforces Deutsche Börse Group’s commitment to digital asset integration within traditional financial markets while maintaining high regulatory and security standards.