German Banking Giant Plans Crypto Rollout For 2026
Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe plans to introduce crypto trading services for over 50 million customers by summer 2026, marking a significant shift for the institution. Dekabank will manage the new service through the Sparkasse app. The initiative responds to customer demand and aligns with the EU's MiCA regulatory framework. Sparkassen previously rejected crypto services due to volatility concerns and had blocked crypto purchases since 2015. The German Savings Banks Association emphasizes that cryptocurrencies are speculative investments and will not promote the new service, informing customers of associated risks. Other German banks, like DZ Bank and Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, are also expanding into crypto services. Industry experts predict a deeper banking sector engagement with crypto by late 2025 as regulations evolve.
