Savings banks are planning crypto trading: Bitcoin and Ether for customers from 2025!

Savings banks are planning crypto trading: Bitcoin and Ether for customers from 2025!

The German savings banks have announced that they will enable their customers to trade cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether in the future. This is done via DekaBank, which is 100% owned by the savings banks. The offer is expected to be implemented within a year after savings banks had taken a skeptical stance towards digital assets for years. Loud heise.de Access to these crypto offers is expected to be via the Sparkasse app, although the Sparkasse Financial Group is aware that cryptocurrencies are considered highly speculative investments.

The entire board of the German Savings Banks and Giro Association (DSGV) has decided that crypto investments will not be actively advertised. A DSGV spokesman makes it clear that it aims to create reliable access to a regulated crypto offering. Customers should be transparently informed about the risks, including possible total losses.

Growing pressure to adapt

The savings banks' move is no coincidence. The cooperative banks, represented by DZ Bank, have been testing crypto offerings since the end of 2024, and the pressure to keep up with the competition is growing. Neobanks such as N26, Trade Republic and Revolut already offer cryptocurrency trading, increasing pressure on traditional banks. Matthias Dießl, President of the Bavarian Savings Bank Association, calls for trading in digital assets to be made possible for savings bank customers. The planned trading will probably only be available to self-decision makers without advice, as the investments are classified as highly speculative.

At the same time, demand from private customers for simple and secure access to digital assets is growing. The EU-wide MiCAR regulation also creates a uniform legal framework for crypto products in Europe, which makes it easier for savings banks to enter the market. DekaBank has already received a cryptocurrency custody license and is currently offering services to institutional clients.

Technical infrastructure and future prospects

The technical infrastructure for the savings banks’ crypto services is based on blockchain platforms such as SWIAT. While crypto trading is not currently available to retail customers, discussions are ongoing and a decision is expected later this year. The Sparkasse Association distinguishes between different models, including the possibility of having its own trading platforms and cooperation with partners such as DekaBank in order to offer services to its customers.

In summary, after a long phase of reluctance, the savings banks are now aiming for a turnaround in their dealings with cryptocurrencies. In view of the fast-moving nature of the financial markets and technological developments, they are required to face the challenges of digital change and to make suitable offers to their customers, as they already do Crypto Insiders report. The successful implementation of these strategies will be crucial to how well the savings banks can compete with other financial service providers.