Sparkassen‑Finanzgruppe, Germany’s biggest savings bank network, plans to allow over 50 million customers to trade crypto by summer 2026, marking a significant shift in Germany’s financial landscape.
After previously blocking crypto purchases in 2015 due to risks, Sparkassen now aims to offer regulated access to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether through a dedicated app powered by DekaBank, a subsidiary of the group.
The crypto trading service will operate under the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets law (MiCA), ensuring compliance with strict regulations related to capital, conduct, and transparency, emphasizing customer safety and regulatory satisfaction.
This move by Sparkassen reflects a broader trend in the banking industry as German banks like DZ Bank and Landesbank Baden‑Württemberg are also exploring crypto trading and custody services, suggesting increasing acceptance and adoption of digital assets in traditional finance.