DZ Bank Launches Nationwide Crypto Trading for Germans

Germany's cooperative banking sector is entering the digital asset space with a major new initiative. DZ Bank, the country's second-largest financial institution, has secured regulatory approval to offer cryptocurrency trading to retail customers nationwide.

The German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) granted the MiCAR license at the end of December, clearing the path for a phased rollout across the Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken network. This development represents one of the most significant integrations of cryptocurrency services within a traditional European banking framework to date.

The authorization marks a pivotal moment for digital asset regulation in Europe. DZ Bank secured its Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) license from BaFin, positioning it as a central hub for crypto services within the cooperative financial group.

The approval enables DZ Bank to operate as the primary institution supporting crypto trading for hundreds of local cooperative banks. However, each individual bank must still submit its own MiCAR notification to BaFin before it can activate the service for customers, ensuring a decentralized yet compliant rollout strategy.

This regulatory green light comes as the European Union's comprehensive crypto framework continues to mature, providing clear guidelines for institutions entering the digital asset market.

The centerpiece of this initiative is meinKrypto, a dedicated digital asset trading platform designed specifically for the cooperative banking network. The platform will function as both a wallet and trading interface, integrated directly into the existing VR Banking App that millions of Germans already use.

Key features of the platform include:

• Seamless integration with existing banking infrastructure
• Support for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies at launch
• Ability to buy, sell, and hold assets without external exchanges
• Regulated custody through Stuttgart Stock Exchange Digital

Customers will be able to manage their cryptocurrency investments entirely within their familiar banking environment, eliminating the need to register with separate crypto exchanges while maintaining the security and regulatory protections of the traditional banking system.

The technical backbone of meinKrypto represents a collaboration between key players in Germany's financial technology ecosystem. Atruvia, the IT provider for the cooperative financial group, developed the core infrastructure in partnership with DZ Bank.

For asset safekeeping, the platform relies on Stuttgart Stock Exchange Digital, which will provide custody services that comply with both German and EU regulatory standards. This partnership ensures that digital assets are held within a regulated framework, addressing one of the primary concerns of traditional banking customers.

The decentralized model means that while DZ Bank serves as the central institution, individual cooperative banks retain autonomy over their participation based on their strategic priorities and risk assessments.

The rollout responds to surging interest in digital assets among Germany's cooperative banks. A September 2025 survey by the German Cooperative Banking Association revealed that 71% of Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken were actively considering crypto services, a significant increase from 54% the previous year.

Approximately one-third of banks exploring crypto options indicated they planned to launch offerings within five months.

DZ Bank's move into retail crypto trading builds on its earlier institutional offerings. The Frankfurt-based lender had previously established digital asset services for institutional clients through partnerships with regulated market infrastructure providers. This new MiCAR license extends that strategy to private customers through the cooperative network, effectively democratizing access to digital assets.

Beyond the meinKrypto platform, DZ Bank is simultaneously advancing another major digital asset initiative. The bank recently announced its participation in Qivalis, a European banking consortium developing a regulated euro-denominated stablecoin.

The Qivalis consortium comprises 11 banks planning to launch the stablecoin in 2026 through a new Dutch entity. The group is seeking approval from the Dutch central bank to operate as an e-money institution, with a target market entry in the second half of 2026. The project aims to support payments and settlement for European businesses and consumers within a regulated framework.

Together, these initiatives signal a broader strategic shift by Germany's cooperative banking sector to fully integrate digital assets into mainstream financial services under the MiCAR regulatory umbrella.

The phased rollout of meinKrypto will follow a decentralized approach, with each cooperative bank determining its own timeline for activation based on internal strategy and risk evaluation. This model allows for flexibility while maintaining the cooperative network's traditional structure.

As the platform integrates into the VR Banking App, customers across Germany will gain access to cryptocurrency trading within a fully regulated banking environment. The initial support for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies may expand over time, subject to regulatory review and market demand.

This development positions Germany's cooperative banking sector at the forefront of institutional crypto adoption in Europe, potentially setting a template for other regional banking networks navigating the digital asset landscape.