Germany’s Deutsche Boerse announced on Tuesday that it will begin offering cryptocurrency custody and settlement services for institutional clients starting next month. This move makes Deutsche Boerse the latest major player to step into crypto custody management for digital assets like bitcoin and ether.

The new service will enable crypto trading across various trading venues to be settled and securely held within Clearstream, Deutsche Boerse’s settlement arm. This development marks a significant step in the German exchange’s expansion into digital assets, following the launch of its dedicated crypto trading platform for institutional investors last year. Beginning in April, clients will have access to custody and settlement services for bitcoin and ether—the world’s two largest cryptocurrencies—with the potential for additional assets to be added based on client demand. Deutsche Boerse’s subsidiary, Crypto Finance, will serve as a sub-custodian for the offering.

“Offering crypto custody is the next step on Clearstream’s journey to digitise financial markets,” said Jens Hachmeister, Clearstream’s head of issuer services and new digital markets.

The move comes as European financial institutions increasingly embrace cryptocurrencies, following the European Union’s implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework in 2023. The announcement—first reported by Bloomberg—follows Crypto Finance’s successful acquisition of a MiCA license in January.

Deutsche Boerse joins other major custody providers in this space, including Bank of New York Mellon (BK.N), which launched its crypto custody services in 2022, and State Street (STT.N), which expanded its digital asset services last year.

Deutsche Boerse introduced a regulated crypto trading platform for institutional investors in March 2023. That platform has since been integrated into Deutsche Boerse’s 360T subsidiary, according to a company spokesperson.

The election of Donald Trump as U.S. President last year has fueled expectations that more traditional financial institutions will enter the crypto market. U.S. regulators recently eased restrictions, making it simpler for banks to participate in crypto-related activities. European banks are also stepping up their involvement. On Monday, Spain’s BBVA revealed it had secured approval from the country’s securities regulator to offer bitcoin and ether trading services locally.

Bitcoin experienced a sharp rally following Trump’s election victory but has since retreated.

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Top financial technology executives are pushing for dollar-backed stablecoins as a cheaper and faster payment alternative for US consumers and businesses. They plan to make their case at a crucial congressional hearing on Tuesday, as lawmakers move closer to regulating these digital assets.

According to Bloomberg, Paxos CEO Charles Cascarilla, in his prepared testimony, criticized the current banking system as a “regressive tax” burdening working families with high fees. He highlighted stablecoins as a cost-effective solution, allowing instant, nearly free transactions through blockchain.

According to ARK Invest stablecoins have become highly popular because they processed more than $15 trillion worldwide in 2024. Tether and Circle operate as the largest stablecoin issuers by providing billions of dollars worth of daily transactions.

These tokens do not receive the FDIC insurance protection which creates concerns about possible collapses that may demand taxpayer-funded bailouts. Former President Donald Trump supports stablecoin rules because he sees them as tools to enhance the power of the US dollar.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed this sentiment at last week’s White House crypto summit. Meanwhile, Congress is debating new rules that would require stablecoin issuers to maintain sufficient reserves and comply with anti-money laundering laws.

Executives from Stripe and BNY Mellon will also testify at Tuesday’s House Financial Services Committee hearing. Meanwhile, the Senate Banking Committee is set to discuss and vote on stablecoin legislation later this week.

Key debates include whether issuers should be US-registered, a move that could impact Tether but benefit Circle. With banks fearing competition from stablecoins and lawmakers divided on regulation, the industry’s future hangs in the balance.

The introduction of central bank digital currency finds support from certain legislators while crypto companies remain opposed because they believe it threatens their commercial operations. The upcoming weeks will influence how stablecoins will be regulated within the United States.

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The latest reports reveal that digital asset adoption efforts are intensifying in the EU. Spanish bank Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) received approval from the country’s regulator to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum trading services.

BBVA Will Offer BTC and ETH Exposure to Spanish Clients
According to an official report from Reuters, the Spanish bank confirmed its approval from the national regulator to provide BTC and ETH trading services, allowing its clients to buy, sell, and transfer crypto securely via its application.
The approval comes after a multi-year regulatory process to enter the crypto industry for the bank. In 2020, BBVA planned to penetrate the digital asset sector but regulatory approval was not approved by now, when MiCA regulations are taking effect across Europe.

BBVA initially planned to launch its crypto services from Switzerland rather than Spain or other countries in the European Union because it has a clearer regulatory framework for crypto under the Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

The MiCA Regulation institutes uniform EU market rules for crypto assets and the regulation’s entry into the EU was officially applied in December 2024.
In January 2025, BBVA also launched crypto trading in Turkey via a local subsidiary, Garanti BBVA Kripto, a local platform operated by Garanti BBVA, Turkey’s fifth largest bank. Bit2Me, a crypto exchange that was founded in Spain in 2014 is used as the bank’s trading execution center.

Crypto Adoption, Intensifying in Europe and the US
Besides BBVA, other important banks are engaging in crypto services across Europe. For instance, the Deutsche Bank provides crypto custody with Taurus, a leading provider of crypto infrastructure since September 2023.

Back then, Taurus announced that Deutsche Bank would leverage its custody and tokenization technology to manage crypto, tokenized assets, and digital currencies.
Also, Société Générale’s SG-FORGE launches a euro-backed stablecoin on the Stellar Network. This expansion will bring new opportunities for users and businesses to access a secure, transparent, and scalable digital euro stablecoin, powered by Stellar’s infrastructure. The announcement was made in February 2025.
Crypto adoption is intensifying in Europe as more banks engage in crypto activities.

This comes as US digital asset adoption efforts are also on the rise, with Trump recently signing an Executive Order for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a Crypto Stockpile, and expecting new stablecoin regulation by August.

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Binance has achieved a remarkable milestone with its stablecoin reserves, raising expectations for growth within the cryptocurrency sector. According to market expert Darkfrost, this increase might indicate favorable trends for traders, particularly following a period marked by instability. With ERC-20 stablecoin reserves now exceeding $31.3 billion, this peak could potentially initiate significant market shifts.

What Factors Drive the Reserve Surge?
The boost in Binance’s stablecoin reserves points to evolving market dynamics. Market insiders suggest that this uptick might be linked to liquidity moving toward Binance, which could foster positive momentum. Darkfrost highlighted that historical data shows similar increases have previously correlated with rising Bitcoin prices and overall market recovery. However, caution is advised as this may merely be an initial signal.

Will MiCA Regulation Influence Market Trends?
In response to MiCA regulations, Binance plans to remove non-compliant ERC-20 tokens by March’s end, a move that may significantly affect the market landscape. This strategy aligns with a growing demand, positioning Binance to adapt to regulatory changes while seizing new opportunities for traders. However, it also poses challenges to existing market dynamics.

Binance’s stablecoin reserves have reached a record high, surpassing $31.3 billion.

Market experts see potential price increases for Bitcoin as a result of this reserve growth.

Regulatory changes under MiCA could reshape trading practices and market behavior.

Traders should remain vigilant due to the uncertain nature of upcoming price movements.

The implications of the rising stablecoin reserves, coupled with regulatory pressures, suggest a potentially volatile period ahead for the cryptocurrency market. Observers are keeping a close eye on developments as traders navigate these shifting tides. The interplay between reserve increases and regulatory compliance will likely shape market sentiment in the near future.

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South Korea is moving closer to a decision on Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), according to a report from local publication Maeil Business Newspaper (MK).
MK notes that the South Korean government is closely monitoring Japan’s evolving stance on digital assets. Japan, previously cautious about crypto, is now reconsidering its regulatory approach.

Financial Supervisory Service (FSA0 of South Korea recently reviewed legislative trends from Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) and shared its findings with relevant institutions. On February 10, Japanese media outlet Nikkei reported that the FSA is considering classifying crypto as a financial product alongside securities, potentially lifting Japan’s ban on crypto ETFs. Discussions are expected to continue through mid-2025, with a legislative plan submitted to Japan’s National Assembly in 2026.

Following a virtual asset committee meeting, Kim So-young, vice chairman of South Korea’s Financial Services Commission, commented on the issue:

“I have continued to say that I would carefully review (spot Bitcoin ETFs), and it is similar in the broader context. There are countries that have not yet introduced it. There are England and Japan.”

Crypto regulation efforts in South Korea persist despite political turmoil. Over 30% of South Koreans invest in digital assets, and the country has maintained its focus on compliance and enforcement.

After the January 15 arrest of former president Yoon Suk Yeol following an attempt to impose martial law, the government has continued regulatory initiatives. On February 13, the Financial Services Commission announced that charities and universities will be permitted to sell crypto donations starting in the second half of 2025.

Enforcement actions have also intensified. On January 16, leading cryptocurrency exchange Upbit received a suspension notice for alleged Know Your Customer (KYC) violations. In response, Upbit filed a lawsuit against South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit to challenge the business sanctions.

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