In a major strategic shift, Germany’s Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe plans to roll out cryptocurrency trading services to its more than 50 million customers by the summer of 2026.
This move marks a significant turnaround for the banking giant, which previously blocked crypto purchases for all customers back in 2015, citing concerns over volatility and risk.
According to a Bloomberg report on Monday, June 30, Dekabank – Sparkassen’s investment arm and an institution already active in digital asset investments – will manage the new crypto service through the Sparkasse banking app. Dekabank is owned by Sparkassen, officially known as the Savings Banks Financial Group.
“The Savings Banks Finance Group will provide reliable access to a regulated crypto offering,”
confirmed the German Savings Banks Association (DSGV). The group emphasized that the upcoming service is driven by customer demand and is fully covered under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework, which came into effect in December.
Despite its pivot towards digital assets, DSGV maintained a cautious stance, stating that
“cryptocurrencies are highly speculative investments”
and stressing that Sparkassen will not engage in advertising the service. Customers will, however, receive detailed risk information, including warnings about the potential for total loss.
Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe comprises more than 370 savings banks and 500 associated companies, collectively managing assets exceeding €2.5 trillion ($2.9 trillion).
Commenting on the development, Filipp Bolotov, CEO of artificial intelligence and blockchain firm ERA Labs, described Sparkassen’s crypto initiative as a “big move for mainstream adoption.” Kyle Chasse, crypto venture capitalist and founder of Master Ventures, added that “banks are catching up” as institutional interest in crypto continues to rise.
German savings banks (Sparkassen) are diving into crypto! ???? They plan to let customers trade crypto via a dedicated app by summer 2026. ???? Big move for mainstream adoption! ???? #Crypto #Germany #Sparkassen #Bitcoin #Adoption #Finance
— Filipp Bolotov (@FilippBolotov) June 30, 2025
In September 2024, German industrial giant Siemens AG issued a 300 million euro ($330 million) digital bond on blockchain rails as part of a ECB trial. Major German financial institutions BayernLB, DekaBank, DZ BANK, Helaba and Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW) invested in the bond. Deutsche Bank also participated in facilitating the settlement process.
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