Deutsche Bank to launch crypto custody services
Deutsche Bank to launch crypto custody service by 2026
Germany’s Deutsche Bank is accelerating its crypto expansion, with plans to roll out a dedicated crypto custody service by 2026.
The Frankfurt-based banking giant is partnering with Bitpanda Technology Solutions to develop this service, signaling a deeper commitment to regulated crypto offerings, reports Crypto News.
Deutsche Bank first revealed its interest in crypto custody in 2022, but the project has gained significant momentum as institutional demand for digital asset solutions grows. The bank is also working closely with Taurus SA, a Swiss digital asset firm that Deutsche Bank invested in during a $65 million funding round last year. This partnership reflects Deutsche Bank’s strategy to leverage experienced crypto-native firms as it builds infrastructure to securely manage and safeguard clients’ digital assets.
Sparkassen reverses stance, embraces crypto for retail
In parallel with Deutsche Bank’s initiatives, Germany’s Sparkassen banking group is preparing to introduce cryptocurrency trading services for retail clients by the summer of 2026. Sparkassen’s new offering represents a sharp policy reversal from 2023, when its internal committees rejected crypto due to concerns over volatility and investor protection.
Under the new plan, Sparkassen customers will be able to buy and sell cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin directly within their regular banking apps, with trades executed through DekaBank, Sparkassen’s securities division. This shift demonstrates growing acceptance of digital assets within traditional European banking circles, where institutions are increasingly recognizing customer demand for regulated, user-friendly crypto access points.
European banks deepen digital asset strategies
The growing involvement of Germany’s leading banks mirrors broader trends across Europe, where financial institutions are rapidly expanding their digital asset capabilities. Earlier this year, Standard Chartered secured a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license, allowing the bank to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum custody services to institutional clients under Europe’s new regulatory framework. As MiCA licensing gains traction, more banks are expected to enter the space, seeking to provide compliant, scalable crypto services to a broadening customer base.
Deutsche Bank’s and Sparkassen’s crypto strategies reflect a wider institutional shift, with global banks acknowledging that digital assets are becoming an essential part of modern financial portfolios and that regulated access to these assets is now a competitive necessity.
Recently we wrote that Europol announced the arrest of five individuals connected to an international cryptocurrency investment fraud network spanning Spain, France, Estonia, and the USA.
