Business · Companies · 6 hrs ago
German savings banks begin phased cryptocurrency trading
Germany’s Sparkassen are starting cryptocurrency trading through their existing app for customers at participating banks.
The initial offer covers Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Solana and Polygon, and lets customers buy, sell and hold the assets themselves.
Each savings bank will choose when to join, with 30 to 40 more banks expected each month.
The service is provided by DekaBank, which will hold the crypto assets in cooperation with the Stuttgart Stock Exchange.
The banks say the offer responds to customer demand and provides access within a regulated environment, after years of concern about crypto risks.
The Sparkassen warn of sharp price swings and total loss, and say they will not generally provide advice or actively promote the service.
A large share of interested banks is expected to be connected in the first half of 2027, while savings plans, securities and advice remain the banks’ focus for long-term investing.
German savings banks have begun a phased rollout of cryptocurrency trading through their existing app.
Customers at the first participating banks can buy, sell and hold five cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The Sparkassen say 30 to 40 more institutions are expected to join each month, with many interested banks connected by the first half of 2027.
The offer is intended for customers who want to manage crypto independently, and broad advice or promotion by the banks is not planned.
The Sparkassen warn that cryptocurrencies are highly speculative and can lose all their value.
- Who
- Germany’s savings banks, represented by the German Savings Banks and Giro Association (DSGV), are rolling out the offer.
- What
- Customers can trade and hold cryptocurrencies through the Sparkassen app. The initial offering includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Solana and Polygon.
- When
- The first customers gained access on Monday, October 19, 2026. The rollout will continue in stages.
- Where
- Through the Sparkassen app at participating savings banks in Germany.
- Why
- The DSGV cited customer demand and said the offer gives customers who choose crypto access in a regulated setting.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The first customers at participating savings banks could trade cryptocurrencies through the Sparkassen app.
The rollout is expected to add 30 to 40 more savings banks.
The DSGV aims to have connected a large share of interested savings banks.
- Initial crypto assets
- Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Solana and Polygon
- Monthly rollout
- 30 to 40 additional savings banks
- Platform provider
- Dekabank
- Custody provider
- Dekabank, in cooperation with Börse Stuttgart
- Target connection date
- First half of 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
When a savings bank starts is up to it.
Interest across the group is high, and more institutions will join week by week.
Cryptocurrencies remain highly speculative investments from the savings banks’ perspective.