Goldman Sachs Plans Crypto Lending and Tokenized Products as Client Demand Grows

Highlights:

• Goldman Sachs has shared news details on its crypto plan at the just concluded conference in Dubai.
• The bank is developing tokenized products to help institutions access real-world assets in digital form.
• Goldman Sachs increased its shares in major companies that hold BTC as institutions continue to adopt BTC.

Goldman Sachs is increasing its involvement in digital assets as more clients seek exposure. While speaking at TOKEN2049, a conference that brought together crypto enthusiasts in Dubai, Mathew McDermott, the bank’s head of digital assets, shared new details about its plans. He confirmed that the bank will expand its crypto trading desk and explore crypto lending.

JUST IN: Goldman Sachs to ramp up efforts in Bitcoin and crypto under “pro crypto” Trump admin – CNBC pic.twitter.com/Q6CDHogvsf

— Bitcoin Archive (@BTC_Archive) May 2, 2025

The bank first launched its trading desk in 2021. The firm has been offering cash-settled BTC and ETH options and futures listed on the American financial services company CME. However, it has avoided holding cryptocurrencies directly. It focused on derivative products that allow exposure without handling the actual assets.

Now, rising interest from clients is pushing Goldman Sachs to widen its services. Many institutional clients want direct access to digital assets. In response, the bank is preparing to meet this demand with expanded trading services and lending operations. McDermott said the aim is to provide tools that meet real-world needs in the digital space.

He said that the institutions want platforms that provide scale and efficiency. Therefore, Goldman Sachs is adapting its strategy to assist large investors. The bank has pivoted its focus towards building digital products that assist its clients in engaging with crypto markets directly.

Tokenization and Lending Shape Goldman’s New Digital Focus

The company is majoring in tokenization as part of a larger digital strategy. The bank believes tokenization may simplify and facilitate trading. Digital versions of assets that were once inaccessible to investors could soon be bought and traded.

McDermott said the bank is designing projects that focus on real use. This includes building liquidity and helping markets become more efficient. He explained that the long-term goal is to offer tools that match institutional needs as digital adoption grows.

Goldman Sachs is also looking into crypto lending alongside tokenization. The bank believes crypto lending will enable institutions to increase capital as well as more effectively manage assets. Goldman Sachs has been a huge investor when it comes to Bitcoin ETFs, as it holds shares in major companies. The bank has shares in BlackRock and Fidelity ETFs. Meanwhile, the bank recently highlighted BTC in a letter it shared with its shareholders. The move marked a change from how Goldman Sachs has described its digital efforts to shareholders in the past.

Institutional Support Grows as U.S. Crypto Climate Shifts

Other financial institutions are also moving toward digital assets. Morgan Stanley announced it will add crypto trading to its E*Trade platform by 2026. It plans to work with existing crypto firms to develop the new features.

At the same Dubai event, Eric Trump spoke about the future of digital finance. Eric Trump said that cryptocurrencies could one day replace traditional payment systems. He added that the U.S. must support innovation or it risks falling behind other nations as the race for crypto dominance continues.

🚨 Eric Trump at Token2049:
“Crypto is going to leave big banks in the dust. Nothing would make me happier than seeing them fall to the very people they came after.”
💥 Calls TradFi “broken”
📱 Says crypto gives global financial freedom
🇦🇪 Praises UAE's innovation, slams Europe… pic.twitter.com/XZtXpNu7XE

— Merben Baterna (@SERRBEN72) May 1, 2025

He noted that under President Donald Trump, digital assets gained more support. Eric claimed that the U.S. could lead the world in crypto if these changes continue.