Catenaa, Saturday, February 07 , 2026- UBS Group AG is exploring ways to offer private banking clients direct access to cryptocurrency markets while expanding its tokenized asset infrastructure, the bank confirmed during its earnings call.
CEO Sergio Ermotti described the strategy as a measured, multi-year rollout, positioning UBS as a “fast follower” rather than an early mover in blockchain adoption.
The bank is developing infrastructure and targeted use cases, including crypto access for individual clients and tokenized deposit solutions for corporates, with implementation expected over three to five years alongside existing wealth management and corporate services.
The announcement follows strong financial performance in 2025. UBS reported a 53% full-year net profit increase to $7.8 billion and a 56% rise in fourth-quarter profit to $1.2 billion. Invested assets climbed 15% year-over-year, surpassing $7 trillion for the first time.
UBS’s approach marks a shift from prior skepticism toward cryptocurrencies. While the bank criticized bitcoin in 2017, it has focused on tokenization and blockchain-based infrastructure, including a tokenized money market fund on Ethereum and pilots for fund issuance and settlement.
Wealthy clients in Hong Kong were allowed to trade crypto futures-based ETFs starting in 2023, providing exposure without direct digital asset ownership.
Other institutions are pursuing similar infrastructure-focused strategies. Barclays has invested in stablecoin settlement startup Ubyx and joined a 10-bank consortium exploring a joint stablecoin.
Morgan Stanley and Standard Chartered have also announced plans to expand crypto trading and prime brokerage offerings for institutional and high-net-worth clients.
