German savings banks launch crypto trading for institutional clients through existing app
Germany’s savings banks have formally entered crypto trading, with the first participating institutional clients now able to buy and sell digital assets through the group’s existing official app, according to confirmation from the German Savings Banks and Giro Association (DSGV). The service is supported by securities provider Dekabank, while crypto custody is handled together with the Stuttgart Stock Exchange. At launch, the offering covers Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Solana and Polygon. The pricing is set at a flat fee of €0.99 per order, and clients are not required to link a traditional securities account. The rollout will not follow a single nationwide launch date. Instead, each savings bank will decide when to activate the service locally. DSGV board member Joachim Schmalzl said internal interest is strong, with 30 to 40 institutions expected to join each month and most interested savings banks targeted for coverage by the first half of 2027. Schmalzl said the product is aimed at clients who want to trade and custody crypto assets on their own. The banks will not provide investment advice and do not plan broad active marketing in the initial phase. DSGV also repeated that cryptocurrencies remain highly speculative assets and said clients will be clearly warned about sharp price swings and the risk of total loss.
