CEO Sergio Ermotti announces exploration of crypto services for private clients and tokenized solutions for companies.
According to Bloomberg, UBS Group AG is exploring ways to offer access to Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies to private clients. This was announced by CEO Sergio Ermotti during Wednesday’s financial results call, specifying that the Zurich-based bank is building the necessary infrastructure for digital asset services.
“We are building the core infrastructure and exploring targeted offerings, from crypto access for individual clients to tokenized custody solutions for companies,” Ermotti stated. The CEO emphasized that UBS does not intend to be a pioneer in blockchain technology, but will pursue a “fast follower” strategy in tokenized assets, with expansion planned over the next three to five years.
According to reports last month, UBS is in the process of selecting partners for a crypto offering aimed at its high-net-worth clients. Like many other global banks, UBS has so far focused its digital asset work on blockchain infrastructure for tokenized funds and payments.
UBS’s move is part of a broader trend among European banks. DZ Bank recently obtained MiCAR approval and will launch the “meinKrypto” platform in cooperative banks, allowing clients to trade and custody Bitcoin directly in existing banking apps. Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe plans to launch Bitcoin trading for private clients by summer 2026, while ING Deutschland has begun offering retail clients access to cryptocurrency-linked exchange-traded notes, with physically-backed products from managers like 21Shares, Bitwise and VanEck.
