Banca Sella becomes first Italian bank approved for crypto services

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Banca Sella approved for crypto services

Highlights

Banca Sella is the first Italian bank approved to offer crypto services under MiCA.
Its initial focus will be on custody, receipt and transfer of digital assets, with services aimed at selected client groups, including corporate and institutional customers.
The launch is expected by the end of 2026.

Bank focuses on digital asset custody

Banca Sella has completed the notification process required by MiCA and can now launch services focused primarily on the custody and transfer of digital assets. For banks, the procedure is relatively straightforward: they must notify the regulator in advance rather than go through the full licensing process required of nonbank crypto platforms.

According to the bank’s statement, the service will target selected client groups, including corporate and institutional customers. Banca Sella referred to the custody, receipt and transfer of digital assets; it did not explicitly describe services for buying or selling cryptocurrencies. The launch is expected by the end of 2026.

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Andrea Tessera, Banca Sella’s managing director for digital banking, called the approval an important step in Europe’s shift toward new digital finance models.

MiCA gives banks a regulated path into crypto

The MiCA regulation establishes a single rulebook for crypto assets across the EU and gives traditional financial institutions a clearer legal framework for entering the digital asset market. For Italy, Banca Sella’s approval is significant because it shows crypto services moving from specialized platforms into regulated banking infrastructure.

Banca Sella has already taken part in fintech initiatives run by the Bank of Italy, including Milano Hub. It is also a member of Qivalis, a European banking consortium working on a euro-denominated stablecoin. Qivalis currently includes 37 banks.

Banks take a cautious step into digital assets

Banca Sella’s approval shows that European banks are using MiCA not to rush into retail crypto trading but to build more controlled services around custody and infrastructure. That approach reduces regulatory risk and allows banks to serve clients seeking digital assets within a supervised banking environment.

For the market, the decision signals that institutional crypto infrastructure in Europe is likely to develop through licensed banks, custody providers, and regulated payments initiatives. At this stage, however, the focus is on basic digital asset services rather than a full crypto exchange model inside the bank.

It was earlier reported that MiCA effect pushes euro stablecoins into faster growth.

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