TLDR
- UniCredit is exploring crypto custody and brokerage services and is searching for a technology provider
- The bank has already launched a Bitcoin-linked certificate and Italy’s first tokenized minibond on a public blockchain
- UniCredit is part of the Qivalis consortium, which plans to launch a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin on Ethereum in late 2026
- Circle is launching its Arc Layer-1 blockchain on September 16, with USDC as the native gas token
- BRICS nations discussed linking central bank digital currencies at their New Delhi summit, but the initiative remains at the discussion stage
UniCredit, one of Europe’s largest banks, is exploring crypto custody and brokerage services. The bank is in the early stages of selecting a technology provider to hold digital assets and handle client transactions, Bloomberg reported.
ADOPTION: 🇪🇺$34 billion-AUM UniCredit, serving over 20 million customers, is exploring crypto custody, trading, tokenized investments and stablecoin services, per Bloomberg.
Its core markets span Italy, Germany, Austria, and Central and Eastern Europe.
The bank is reviewing… pic.twitter.com/ebcknfNnuF
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) September 13, 2026
No final decision has been made. Areas being considered include custody and brokerage, tokenized investment products, fixed-income securities, and stablecoin applications.
UniCredit’s Existing Crypto Steps
UniCredit has already moved into crypto products. In July 2025, it launched a five-year Bitcoin-linked certificate tied to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust for professional clients in Italy, with full capital protection and an 85% return cap.
In December 2025, the bank structured Italy’s first tokenized minibond on a public blockchain, a 5 million euro bond for E4 Computer Engineering recorded on Polygon.
UniCredit also belongs to Qivalis, a 37-bank European consortium planning to launch a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin on Ethereum in the second half of 2026. The token would be backed one-for-one by euro deposits.
Any crypto services must comply with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation. The MiCA grace period ended July 1, and providers need a license to operate across the 30-country European Economic Area.
Other large banks have taken similar steps. Deutsche Bank partnered with Swiss firm Taurus for digital asset custody. BBVA now offers Bitcoin trading to private clients in Switzerland. Israel’s Bank Leumi has lined up Galaxy to run trading and custody for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana by 2027.
On September 8, UniCredit also bought a minority stake in VC Trade, a Frankfurt platform that digitizes bond and loan deals, handling over 90 billion euros across 600-plus transactions.
Circle Arc Goes Live as BRICS Talks Stall
While banks build their crypto infrastructure, Circle is preparing to launch its Arc Layer-1 blockchain on September 16. Arc uses USDC as its native gas token and offers sub-second transaction finality.
The launch comes as the US Senate prepares a procedural vote on the CLARITY Act on September 15. Circle has made clear Arc will go live regardless of the legislative outcome.
Stablecoins currently represent 308 billion dollars in total supply, with 7.5 trillion dollars in settlement volume recorded as of March.
At the BRICS Summit in New Delhi this week, member nations discussed linking their central bank digital currencies to reduce reliance on traditional banking systems. India, which chaired the summit, said it opposes a common BRICS currency and supports a bilateral CBDC linkage model instead.
The New Delhi Declaration, adopted September 12, puts CBDC interoperability on the agenda. However, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra confirmed the initiative is still in the feasibility study phase.
Circle Arc launches Monday. The BRICS CBDC plan has no operational timeline.
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