Openbank Launches Crypto Trading in Germany — Santander Expands Retail Crypto Services
Openbank, Santander’s digital bank, has launched crypto trading in Germany allowing customers to buy, sell and hold Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, Polygon and Cardano directly on its platform—under MiCA...
Openbank, Santander’s digital bank, has launched crypto trading in Germany allowing customers to buy, sell and hold Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, Polygon and Cardano directly on its platform—under MiCA compliance—with a planned rollout to Spain and expanded token features in coming weeks.
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Openbank adds native crypto trading in Germany, integrating BTC, ETH, LTC, POL and ADA.
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Service runs alongside existing investment products and follows the EU MiCA regulatory framework.
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Spain rollout planned in weeks; Santander has explored stablecoins and prior crypto pilots since 2018.
Openbank crypto trading Germany: buy, sell and hold Bitcoin, Ether and more on Openbank now — learn how to access the service.
Openbank, Santander’s digital bank, has launched crypto trading in Germany, with a rollout to Spain planned as Europe’s largest lenders accelerate crypto services.
Grupo Santander’s fully digital subsidiary, Openbank, is expanding its European offering by enabling German clients to trade major cryptocurrencies directly within its banking app and investment platform. The move reflects rising retail demand and growing institutional acceptance of digital assets across Europe.
On Tuesday, Santander confirmed that German customers can now buy, sell and hold Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Polygon (POL) and Cardano (ADA) via Openbank. The service is integrated with the bank’s existing investment products, removing the need for third-party crypto platforms and functioning under the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
What is Openbank’s new crypto trading service?
Openbank crypto trading is a built-in retail offering that lets customers buy, sell and custody a select basket of cryptocurrencies directly in their Openbank accounts. The service is MiCA-aligned, integrated with existing investment tools, and will expand to Spain and add features such as crypto-to-crypto conversions in the coming weeks.
How does MiCA affect Openbank crypto trading?
MiCA provides a unified regulatory framework across the EU for crypto-asset service providers. Under MiCA, Openbank must meet transparency, custody and market conduct requirements. This regulatory alignment allows banks like Santander to offer crypto services with clearer compliance obligations and consumer protections.
Why is Santander expanding crypto services now?
Santander cites growing customer demand and strategic digitalisation. The bank has more than 175 million customers globally and Openbank serves over 2 million clients. Santander’s prior blockchain initiatives include a 2018 Ripple-powered cross-border payments app and research into bank-issued stablecoins, signaling long-term interest in digital assets.
How do other German banks compare on crypto adoption?
Germany’s largest banks are accelerating their crypto strategies. DZ Bank launched a pilot for cooperative banks using Börse Stuttgart Digital. Deutsche Bank announced plans to offer custody services with partners and examine stablecoin activity. Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe aims to roll out retail trading to tens of millions of customers by 2026.
| Bank / Group | Initiative | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Openbank (Santander) | Native crypto trading (BTC, ETH, LTC, POL, ADA) | Launched in Germany; Spain rollout planned weeks |
| DZ Bank | Crypto pilot via Börse Stuttgart Digital | Pilot launched Sep 2024 |
| Deutsche Bank | Digital asset custody; stablecoin exploration | Custody planned 2026 |
| Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe | Retail crypto trading via Sparkasse app | Rollout by mid-2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I custody crypto directly within Openbank?
Yes. Openbank’s launch enables customers to hold crypto directly on the platform, integrating custody with its investment products and removing the need for external wallets or brokers.
How does Santander’s prior crypto work inform this launch?
Santander has experimented with blockchain since 2018, including a Ripple-powered payments app and internal research into stablecoins. That institutional experience supports compliance and integration for retail crypto services today.
Key Takeaways
- Immediate access: Openbank customers in Germany can now trade five major tokens directly.
- Regulatory alignment: The offering is designed to comply with MiCA, improving clarity and consumer protections.
- European trend: Major German and international banks are accelerating retail crypto services and custody plans.
Conclusion
Openbank’s launch of crypto trading in Germany marks a notable step in Santander’s digital strategy, bringing Openbank crypto trading into mainstream retail banking under MiCA. With a Spain rollout planned and banks across Europe moving similarly, retail access to digital assets is set to expand. Watch for additional tokens, custody options and crypto-to-crypto features in the coming weeks. Published by COINOTAG on 2025-09-16. Updated 2025-09-16.
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