German banking powerhouse Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe is preparing to introduce crypto trading services to its 50 million customers by mid-2026, signaling a significant shift in the group’s long-held cautious stance toward digital assets.
As reported by Bloomberg on Monday, the new crypto offering will be managed by Dekabank, a Sparkassen-owned institution already active in digital asset management. The services will be integrated directly into the Sparkasse app, providing customers with a streamlined and regulated platform for trading cryptocurrencies.
“The Savings Banks Finance Group will provide reliable access to a regulated crypto offering,” stated the German Savings Banks Association (DSGV). The planned rollout comes under the umbrella of the EU’s MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulatory framework, which took effect in December 2024.
Once strongly opposed to crypto due to concerns over volatility and risk, Sparkassen had even blocked crypto purchases back in 2015. While the group is now embracing crypto services, the DSGV emphasized that its caution remains. “Cryptocurrencies are highly speculative investments,” the DSGV said, noting that there will be no promotional campaigns. Instead, customers will be clearly informed of potential risks, including the possibility of total loss.
Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe is composed of over 500 institutions, including more than 370 savings banks, and manages over €2.5 trillion ($2.9 trillion) in assets. Its decision to support crypto trading represents one of the most significant moves by a traditional banking group in Europe toward digital assets.
The shift mirrors broader trends in the German financial sector. DZ Bank partnered with Boerse Stuttgart Digital in 2024 to pilot crypto services, and Landesbank Baden-Württemberg launched crypto custody solutions last year through a partnership with Austria’s Bitpanda.
Industry figures view Sparkassen’s move as a milestone. Filipp Bolotov, CEO of ERA Labs, called it a “big move for mainstream adoption.” Kyle Chasse, founder of Master Ventures, said, “banks are catching up.”
Experts like Eric Trump and Messari CEO Eric Turner believe more banks will follow as regulatory clarity improves and demand for crypto services continues to grow through 2025 and beyond.
