SBI Securities and Rakuten Securities are developing crypto investment trusts in-house. Nomura, Daiwa and SMBC plan to follow suit as Japan prepares rules allowing crypto-holding funds by 2028.
SBI Securities and Rakuten Securities have started internal development of crypto investment trusts. The move aligns with Japan's planned regulatory changes to permit funds that hold cryptocurrencies.
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Morgan Stanley has filed for a national trust bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to provide cryptocurrency custody services to institutional clients. The application, submitted on February 18, aims to position the Wall Street giant as a direct competitor to crypto-native custodians. This move reflects a broader trend of traditional banks expanding into digital assets amid a more favorable regulatory environment.
Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Holdings has submitted a letter of intent to acquire shares in cryptocurrency exchange Bitbank, aiming to make it a consolidated subsidiary. The move supports SBI's expansion in digital assets amid Japan's planned regulatory changes for cryptocurrencies. The deal is subject to due diligence, negotiations, and approvals.
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Citigroup plans to launch institutional bitcoin custody later this year, integrating it into traditional banking frameworks. Morgan Stanley has applied for a national trust charter to support crypto trading for its clients and is advancing spot trading on E*TRADE. These moves reflect growing institutional demand for digital assets within regulated systems.
Following December 2025 charter approvals for crypto firms, the OCC has closed comments on proposed rules clarifying national trust bank activities, while the CFTC issued guidance allowing stablecoins as margin collateral. Banking groups continue criticizing the charters as regulatory arbitrage and 'Franken-charters,' urging safeguards.
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At the iConnections conference in Miami, institutional investors showed renewed interest in digital assets despite bitcoin's 25% decline this year. Allocators now view crypto as a core part of alternative investments, led by family offices. Regulatory clarity remains a key hurdle for broader adoption.