Okay, so crypto custody from Deutsche Bank is coming. But they’re not alone at all, the big shots at Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe are finally throwing their hats into the crypto ring.

The colossal German banking empire with over 50 million customers and a pretty impressive €2.5 trillion in assets joins the party.

Plot twist

After years of playing hard to get, blocking crypto transactions back in 2015, and wagging their fingers about volatility and risk, these financial heavyweights are planning to offer crypto trading by summer 2026.

Now, let me paint you a picture. Remember that office guy who always said, no way, Jose to every new tech trend?

That was Sparkassen execs with crypto. They were the ultimate skeptics, worried about the crazy swings and risks of cryptocurrencies.

But hey, even the most stubborn bosses sometimes get the memo. This time, it’s the European Union’s MiCA regulation that’s giving them the green light.

The German Savings Banks Association promises a reliable, regulated crypto offering through the Sparkasse app, managed by Dekabank, their crypto-savvy subsidiary.

Fear of missing out?

But don’t get too excited just yet. The DSGV is still playing it safe, reminding customers that cryptocurrencies are highly speculative and warning about the potential for total loss.

No flashy ads either, just a sober heads-up, like your cautious coworker who won’t stop reminding you about the risks of ordering extra cheese on your pizza. Responsible, right?

Now, why does this matter? Because when a titan like Sparkassen flips the script, it sends actual shockwaves through the banking world.

Filipp Bolotov, CEO of blockchain firm ERA Labs, calls it a big move for mainstream adoption.

German savings banks (Sparkassen) are diving into crypto! 🏦 They plan to let customers trade crypto via a dedicated app by summer 2026. 🚀 Big move for mainstream adoption! 📈 #Crypto #Germany #Sparkassen #Bitcoin #Adoption #Finance

— Filipp Bolotov (@FilippBolotov) June 30, 2025

And Kyle Chasse, a crypto venture capitalist, says bluntly, banks are catching up. They better, or they risk becoming the Blockbuster of finance, remember those guys?

Wake up

And Sparkassen isn’t alone. DZ Bank, Germany’s second-largest, is already testing crypto trading and custody with Boerse Stuttgart Digital, wanting to serve its network of 700 cooperative banks.

Landesbank Baden-Württemberg jumped in last year, offering crypto custody to institutional clients with Bitpanda, an Austrian crypto exchange.

The message? German banks are no longer sitting on the sidelines.

Industry insiders like Eric Trump warn that banks ignoring crypto will be extinct in a decade, thanks to crypto’s speed and cost advantages.

At Paris Blockchain Week, experts predicted that 2025’s second half will see banks diving deeper into crypto services, thanks to the regulatory acceptance.

So, bank-backed crypto trading by 2026? The banks are finally waking up. The question is, are you ready to join the party?

Disclosure:This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

Kriptoworld.com accepts no liability for any errors in the articles or for any financial loss resulting from incorrect information.