Germany’s largest banking group, Sparkassen, is preparing to offer cryptocurrency trading for private clients — a major step that ends years of internal resistance to digital assets. The move reflects a broader shift in Germany’s traditional banking sector as it adapts to rising demand for access to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Sparkasse App Will Enable Direct Crypto Trading
By summer 2026, Sparkassen customers will be able to trade crypto assets directly through the Sparkasse app, using infrastructure developed in partnership with DekaBank. This initiative will offer a secure and regulated framework for private investors, allowing them to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies with confidence — all within their existing banking environment.
DekaBank, which is owned by the savings banks network, will manage the backend and custody aspects of the service. Clients will maintain full control over their trades, benefiting from a streamlined and trusted experience backed by their local bank.
The rollout is being overseen by the German Savings Banks and Giro Association (DSGV), which confirmed development is already underway. The goal is to make crypto trading both accessible and compliant with German financial regulations.
Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken Also Entering Crypto Market
Other major financial institutions are following suit. Volks- und Raiffeisenbanken, Germany’s cooperative banking group, is also preparing to launch similar crypto trading services for its customers, with its rollout expected as early as summer 2025.
Just a few years ago, German savings banks were advised to avoid cryptocurrencies due to risk and regulatory uncertainty. However, growing client interest and market maturity have shifted the narrative. In April 2025, Matthias Dießl, Chairman of the Bavarian Savings Banks Association, publicly endorsed the move, stating that savings banks should give customers access to digital assets.
Crypto Becomes Part of Traditional Banking in Germany
The planned launch of crypto services by both Sparkassen and Volksbanken signals a turning point. Cryptocurrency is becoming an accepted part of mainstream banking in Germany, and customers will soon be able to trade digital assets through familiar, trusted platforms.
This move positions German banks to compete with private crypto exchanges, while also offering clients the security and oversight associated with regulated institutions. As demand for crypto trading in Germany continues to grow, these developments mark a new chapter in the evolution of banking services across the country.
