Germany's Oldest Banks Take a Major Step Forward with Crypto Adoption

Germany's DZ BANK has made a significant move to bring cryptocurrency into the mainstream by securing MiCAR approval and launching a new platform, "meinKrypto." This initiative offers retail savers direct access to digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, integrating crypto trading within the existing VR Banking App.

Key Takeaways

DZ BANK has received MiCAR approval, allowing it to offer cryptocurrency services.
The bank has launched "meinKrypto," enabling retail customers to buy Bitcoin and Ethereum through local banks.
A native crypto wallet is integrated into the VR Banking App for easy management of digital and traditional assets.
Despite a rise in mobile wallet usage, a gap remains in active crypto participation among global users.
Germany's crypto economy is growing rapidly, with significant inflows being observed compared to outflows in the U.S.

Germany’s DZ Bank Gets MiCAR Approval

Germany's DZ BANK's Move into Crypto

In December 2025, DZ BANK, the second-largest financial institution in Germany encompassing over 700 cooperative banks, obtained approval under MiCAR from BaFin. This announcement surfaced on January 14 and led to the rollout of the "meinKrypto" platform.

MyKrypto aims to connect millions of retail savers to Bitcoin and Ethereum, accessible through local Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken.

DZ BANK's Strategic Approach

Through this initiative, DZ BANK has successfully incorporated cryptocurrency trading directly within its VR Banking App. This innovation helps bridge the gap between conventional savings accounts and digital assets. The cooperative bank manages more than €1.2 trillion in assets, and this step signifies a robust advancement toward offering regulated access to cryptocurrencies.

Instead of creating a new platform, the bank embedded a native crypto wallet in its existing banking application, allowing users to seamlessly manage both crypto and traditional funds. The timing of this launch is notable as the global crypto market recently reached a valuation of $3.2 trillion.

Current Market Landscape

As of the latest updates, major cryptocurrencies are enjoying a bull market. According to data from CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin (BTC) is trading around $95,000, while Ethereum (ETH) is priced at $3,300. Other currencies like Litecoin (LTC) are valued at $78.00, and Cardano (ADA) at $0.42.

Despite the increase in prices and a 20% rise in mobile wallet activity over the past year, a16zcrypto reports indicate a significant gap in active crypto adoption. Of the 716 million individuals globally who own cryptocurrency, only between 40 and 70 million actually engage with it on-chain. To address this void, DZ BANK focuses on appealing to passive holders looking for a simpler way to gain exposure to digital assets without the complexities of decentralized finance.

Additionally, a Chainalysis report from October 2025 reflects a 54% growth in Germany's crypto economy, a trend that is likely to accelerate under the newly enacted MiCAR regulations. According to CoinShares data, while the U.S. experienced $569 million in crypto outflows last week, Europe saw a contrary trend. Germany led Europe with a $58.9 million inflow, followed by Switzerland at $21 million and Canada at $24.5 million.

This combination of data points highlights the increasing momentum in regulated cryptocurrency adoption across Europe.

Conclusion

DZ BANK’s pioneering efforts to integrate cryptocurrency into traditional banking services mark a pivotal moment for digital asset adoption in Europe. The bank's commitment to reducing barriers for retail customers may well shape the future landscape of cryptocurrency engagement in the region.