Report: Germany’s Sparkassen Network to Enable Bitcoin Trading for Its Customers

Sparkassen Set to Bring Crypto Trading to Retail Customers by 2026

Germany’s largest network of public savings banks, Sparkassen, is planning to enable cryptocurrency trading for its retail clients through its mobile banking apps, according to a Bloomberg report.

The group, which traces its legacy back to 1778 with the establishment of Hamburg’s first savings bank, is working toward offering direct access to digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The new service will be rolled out via DekaBank, Sparkassen’s investment and securities arm, with a launch expected by mid-2026.

This move follows DekaBank’s earlier introduction of crypto trading and custody services for institutional investors, signaling a broader shift by the Sparkassen network into digital assets.

The German Savings Bank Association (DSGV) is reportedly backing the initiative, citing rising customer demand and the emergence of a more defined regulatory landscape under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR).

This shift marks a notable change in attitude. Just a few years ago, a DSGV working group had recommended against offering crypto trading to retail clients. Now, figures like Matthias Diessl, president of the Bavarian Savings Banks, are calling for the Sparkassen network to offer crypto access to everyday users.

Despite this progress, the DSGV continues to emphasize caution, describing cryptocurrencies as highly speculative—even as it acknowledges increasing retail interest.