Germany’s largest banking group, Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, is set to launch crypto trading services for its 50 million customers by mid-2026, marking a major reversal in its stance on digital assets. The move comes amid growing pressure on traditional banks to keep pace with rising crypto adoption and regulatory clarity.

According to Bloomberg, Dekabank—a Sparkassen-owned institution already active in crypto—will manage the new offering through the Sparkasse app. The German Savings Banks Association confirmed the group will provide a regulated, compliant platform under the EU’s MiCA crypto framework.

Previously skeptical, Sparkassen once blocked crypto purchases and dismissed the market due to its risks. While it now moves forward with trading services, the bank maintains a cautious tone. The association emphasized that crypto remains highly speculative and warned users about the risk of total loss. Notably, there will be no marketing push behind the rollout.

Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe includes over 370 savings banks and manages over €2.5 trillion in assets. Its crypto entry follows similar moves by other major German banks. DZ Bank began piloting crypto trading with Boerse Stuttgart Digital in 2024, and Landesbank Baden-Württemberg partnered with Bitpanda in 2023 to provide custody services for institutional clients.

Industry leaders see this shift as part of a broader trend. ERA Labs CEO Filipp Bolotov called the move a “big step for mainstream adoption,” while Master Ventures founder Kyle Chasse noted banks are finally “catching up.” Experts, including those from Messari and Sygnum Bank, predict a deeper push into crypto by banks in late 2025 as regulations stabilize and demand grows.