Germany’s Sparkassen savings bank network has officially launched cryptocurrency trading, allowing eligible customers to buy and sell Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), and Polygon (POL) directly through its banking app. The new service, developed in partnership with DekaBank, marks a significant step toward mainstream crypto adoption in Germany.
The platform, called “Krypto – powered by Deka,” integrates digital asset trading into the investment section of the existing Sparkasse app. Customers can access cryptocurrencies without opening a separate securities account, making crypto investments more convenient for traditional banking users.
Each cryptocurrency transaction carries a €0.99 fee, alongside additional costs reflected in the spread between buying and selling prices. DekaBank provides cryptocurrency custody through its own wallet infrastructure, while trading operations involve Börse Stuttgart.
However, the Sparkassen crypto trading service comes with important restrictions. Customers cannot withdraw their digital assets directly to personal hardware wallets. Instead, DekaBank controls the private keys and permits transfers only to approved cryptocurrency service providers.
Despite these limitations, investors can buy and sell supported cryptocurrencies within the banking application. The service targets adult customers making independent investment decisions, with Sparkassen offering no personalized cryptocurrency investment advice.
The banking group also warns customers about cryptocurrency market volatility and the possibility of significant financial losses.
Meanwhile, Sparkassen plans to expand its cryptocurrency trading service throughout 2027, with more than 230 savings banks reportedly expressing interest in joining the initiative.
According to Joachim Schmalzl, an executive board member of the German Savings Banks Association, approximately 30 to 40 institutions could be connected each month. The network aims to onboard most interested banks during the first half of 2027.
Participation remains voluntary, meaning individual Sparkassen institutions will decide whether and when to activate cryptocurrency trading for their customers.
The development represents a major policy shift for Germany’s savings bank network, which previously opposed retail cryptocurrency trading over concerns about investor protection and market volatility.
Sparkassen's move also reflects growing competition among German financial institutions. DZ Bank is supporting cryptocurrency services for cooperative banks, while Deutsche Bank has pursued digital asset custody initiatives.
With the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) providing a regulatory framework, Germany's traditional banking sector is increasingly integrating cryptocurrency services into established financial platforms.
