Deutsche Bank launches Bitcoin and crypto custody for institutions

BaFin oversight and regulatory clearance

This entry identifies Germany’s BaFin as the primary regulator for the bank’s digital asset operations.

Strategic partnerships and future expansion plans

The bank plans to incorporate tokenization and transaction settlement operations as part of its digital asset expansion into Asian markets.

Paul Maley on building a regulated ecosystem

Maley said the bank intends to combine custody, tokenization, and settlement services under its regulated operations.

Bank of Russia sets framework for organized crypto trading

The Bank of Russia announced on Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026, that crypto exchanges may begin organized trading on Nov 22, 2026, provided they secure central bank approval for their trading rules.

The Justice Ministry registered the ordinance amending these trading rules on Nov 3, and the regulator published it on its website on Nov 11, 2026.

Exchanges must register brokers, trust managers, and central counterparties, while also monitoring activity and maintaining registers of orders and deals. They must calculate current, weighted-average, market, and closing prices to report to the central bank.

A separate ordinance published on Nov 6 and effective Nov 17 allows non-qualified investors to purchase bitcoin, ether, and Tether’s USDT through brokers, trust managers, or registered crypto exchange offices.

Non-qualified investors face an annual purchase limit of 300,000 rubles (approximately $3,600) per intermediary, while qualified investors face no such caps.

Federal Law No. 282-FZ, "On Digital Currencies and Digital Rights," which took effect on Sept 1, licenses crypto-related entities and defines crypto as property. The law enables supervised cross-border trade but prohibits the use of crypto for domestic payments.

Moscow and SPB Exchange launch timelines

Moscow time.

The National Clearing Centre will manage clearing for these trades, allowing clients to settle transactions on the same day or the following day. Boris Blokhin, a senior managing director at Moscow Exchange, said in early October that the exchange requires no additional licenses to begin trading and will use a partner settlement digital depository.

SPB Exchange in St. Petersburg reported in October that it aims to begin organized crypto trading by the end of 2026. The exchange is currently building its own settlement digital depository.

Global industry developments in digital assets

Chainlink and Anchorage Digital partnered to introduce CustodySync. This service connects institutional custody assets with decentralized lending markets using blockchain-based verification and collateral management systems.