Key Highlights
- Italian banking giant UniCredit is evaluating crypto custody and brokerage offerings and seeking a technology partner
- The financial institution previously introduced a Bitcoin-linked investment certificate and Italy’s inaugural tokenized minibond on public blockchain infrastructure
- Through its Qivalis consortium membership, UniCredit aims to introduce a MiCA-regulated euro stablecoin on Ethereum by late 2026
- Circle’s Arc Layer-1 blockchain debuts September 16, featuring USDC as its primary gas token
- BRICS member countries explored central bank digital currency integration at their New Delhi gathering, though concrete plans remain preliminary
UniCredit, ranking among Europe’s premier banking institutions, is evaluating the launch of crypto custody and brokerage capabilities. According to Bloomberg, the bank has begun the preliminary process of identifying a technology partner to safeguard digital assets and execute customer transactions.
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
The institution has not finalized any decisions. Service categories under evaluation encompass custody and trading operations, tokenized investment instruments, fixed-income products, and stablecoin implementations.
UniCredit’s Current Digital Asset Initiatives
UniCredit has already entered the cryptocurrency product space. In July 2025, the bank introduced a five-year Bitcoin-linked investment certificate connected to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, designed for professional investors in Italy. The product features complete capital protection and an 85% maximum return.
The bank facilitated Italy’s pioneering tokenized minibond on public blockchain infrastructure in December 2025, structuring a 5 million euro bond issuance for E4 Computer Engineering, registered on the Polygon network.
Additionally, UniCredit participates in Qivalis, a European banking consortium comprising 37 institutions. The group intends to launch a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin on Ethereum during the latter half of 2026. This digital currency would maintain a one-to-one backing with euro deposits.
All digital asset services must align with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. The MiCA transition period concluded on July 1, requiring providers to obtain proper licensing for operations throughout the 30-nation European Economic Area.
Competing major banks have implemented comparable strategies. Deutsche Bank established a partnership with Swiss company Taurus for digital asset storage solutions. BBVA currently provides Bitcoin trading services to private banking clients in Switzerland. Israel’s Bank Leumi has engaged Galaxy to manage trading and custody operations for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, targeting a 2027 launch.
On September 8, UniCredit acquired a minority ownership position in VC Trade, a Frankfurt-based platform specializing in bond and loan digitization, which has processed more than 90 billion euros across over 600 transactions.
Circle Arc Launches as BRICS Digital Currency Discussions Continue
As traditional banks expand their cryptocurrency infrastructure, Circle is preparing for the September 16 debut of its Arc Layer-1 blockchain. Arc utilizes USDC as its native gas token and delivers transaction finality in under one second.
The platform’s introduction coincides with the US Senate’s scheduled procedural vote on the CLARITY Act on September 15. Circle has stated that Arc’s launch will proceed irrespective of the legislation’s outcome.
The stablecoin market currently maintains a 308 billion dollar total supply, with settlement volume reaching 7.5 trillion dollars as of March.
During this week’s BRICS Summit in New Delhi, participating nations explored the possibility of connecting their central bank digital currencies to decrease dependence on conventional banking infrastructure. India, serving as summit chair, expressed opposition to a unified BRICS currency, favoring instead a bilateral CBDC linkage framework.
The New Delhi Declaration, adopted on September 12, establishes CBDC interoperability as a priority item. Nevertheless, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra acknowledged that the project remains in the feasibility assessment stage.
Circle’s Arc blockchain launches Monday. The BRICS CBDC integration proposal lacks a defined implementation schedule.
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