UBS Group AG, the world’s largest wealth manager, is preparing to allow a small group of private banking clients in Switzerland to trade Bitcoin and Ethereum as part of a broader push into cryptocurrency services, according to multiple reports citing people familiar with the matter. The bank is currently selecting external partners to support trading execution, custody and compliance rather than building a full digital asset infrastructure in-house.
Under the planned initiative, eligible private banking clients would be able to buy and sell spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) through UBS’s platform. The offering is expected to be limited initially and no official launch date has been announced. Sources say the bank’s strategy reflects growing demand among high-net-worth individuals for digital asset exposure within regulated traditional financial frameworks.
UBS is evaluating how best to integrate the service, taking into account operational and regulatory requirements, as well as risk controls for its wealthy client base. A UBS spokesperson told Reuters the bank continues to explore digital asset initiatives that reflect “client needs, regulatory developments, market trends and robust risk controls.”
While the initial rollout would focus on Swiss private banking clients, Bloomberg and Reuters reports say that UBS has considered potential expansion to other regions such as Asia-Pacific and the United States if regulatory clarity and client interest grow.
The planned move would mark a significant step in institutional crypto adoption by major financial institutions, joining trends seen at other global banks exploring or expanding cryptocurrency-related services for wealthy and institutional customers.
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