Boerse Stuttgart Group, the operator of Germany’s second-largest stock exchange, has officially launched its digital asset trading platform Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange (BSDEX). The move marks another step in the expansion of regulated crypto market infrastructure in Germany. Trading is already live, although the platform is currently limited to selected invited users in Germany, who can initially trade the bitcoin-euro (BTC/EUR) pair.
Regulated trading with direct market access
BSDEX is described as Germany’s first regulated trading venue for digital assets where investor orders are matched directly against each other according to fixed rules. That structure allows users to access the venue without going through a broker. At launch, the platform supports market and limit orders, with additional trading functions expected to be introduced later. Fees are charged depending on order type, and the exchange says there are currently no other user costs.
The technical operation of the platform is handled by Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH. CTO Peter Grosskopf said BSDEX is designed to give both retail and institutional investors direct access to digital assets while offering flexible and relatively low-cost trading. The group also says the platform complies with the requirements of the German Banking Act, positioning it as a transparent and legally structured environment for digital asset trading.
Part of a broader digital asset strategy
The launch of BSDEX follows Boerse Stuttgart Group’s earlier crypto initiative, the Bison app. Developed by fintech subsidiary Sowa Labs, the app allows users to buy and sell BTC, ETH, LTC, and XRP. According to the company, users do not need a crypto wallet and only require a German bank account. Bison also includes a “Cryptoradar” feature that analyzes real-time data and tracks sentiment around widely discussed cryptocurrencies.
Dirk Sturz, CEO of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH, said the cryptocurrency market is already worth billions and that more blockchain-based digital assets are likely to emerge. He added that the group aims to build the leading European trading venue for such assets. In the company’s view, BSDEX is the next step toward creating a full end-to-end ecosystem for digital assets and supporting the digital transformation of financial markets.
Partners, custody, and operating structure
On the operational side, BSDEX is run as a trading facility by Baden-Wuerttembergische Wertpapierboerse, which also operates the public stock exchange in Stuttgart. The technical operator, Boerse Stuttgart Digital Exchange GmbH, is a joint venture involving Boerse Stuttgart GmbH, Axel Springer, and Finanzen.net. Crypto custody is handled on an escrow basis by Blocknox, a subsidiary of Boerse Stuttgart Digital Ventures, while Euwax provides the financial services required for trading.
Berlin-based Solarisbank, which holds a full German banking license, serves as BSDEX’s technology and banking partner. It is responsible for payment processing and custody of customer euro deposits. Solarisbank is regulated by Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bafin) and the European Central Bank (ECB). Together, these arrangements show how established exchange operators are entering crypto through a model centered on compliance, custody, and institutional-grade infrastructure.