ING Deutschland opens retail access to crypto-linked products

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Ivan Andriyenko

03.02.2026

ING Deutschland opens retail access to crypto-linked products — ING introduces crypto ETNs in Germany

ING Deutschland, one of Germany’s largest retail banks, has expanded its investment offering to include cryptocurrency-linked exchange-traded notes, allowing retail clients to gain exposure to bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana through regulated market products. The move marks another step by a major European bank to integrate digital assets into mainstream retail banking while maintaining a cautious stance on risk.

According to information published by the bank, the products are available through ING’s Direct Depot platform and are designed to give clients access to cryptocurrency markets without the need to manage personal wallets or cryptographic keys, The Block reports.

Physically backed ETNs via regulated infrastructure

According to ING’s website, the newly available products are physically backed exchange-traded notes issued by established providers including 21Shares, Bitwise and VanEck. Each ETN tracks the performance of a single cryptocurrency and is traded on regulated exchanges, aligning with the bank’s strategy of using familiar securities infrastructure for crypto exposure.

ING said the offering is intended to lower the barrier to entry for crypto investing by embedding digital assets into conventional investment accounts. “This creates another particularly low-threshold access to crypto investments via exchange-traded products,” said Martijn Rozemuller, chief executive of VanEck Europe, in a translated press release. He added that many investors prefer solutions that fit into existing depot structures with transparent costs.

The bank also noted that, under German tax rules, investments in the ETNs are treated similarly to direct crypto holdings. This includes potential capital gains exemptions for positions held longer than one year, a provision that has historically encouraged long-term investment strategies.

Risk warnings and broader digital asset strategy

Despite expanding access, ING emphasized the risks associated with crypto-linked products. The bank warned of “extreme” price volatility, the possibility of total loss if an issuer becomes insolvent, liquidity constraints, market manipulation and regulatory uncertainty. On its educational materials, ING stated: “Cryptocurrencies are speculative products that have no intrinsic value … The value or price developments of cryptocurrencies are strongly dependent on psychological effects.”

The launch builds on ING’s broader digital asset initiatives. In September, the Dutch banking group joined a consortium of European banks working on a euro-denominated stablecoin aimed at becoming a “trusted European payment standard.”

Why this matters

ING’s move highlights how large retail banks are cautiously bringing crypto exposure into regulated, traditional investment frameworks. For investors, it offers a familiar route into digital assets, while underscoring that mainstream adoption continues to come with clear risk disclosures.

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