Openbank Launches Regulated Cryptocurrency Trading Service in Germany, Spain Rollout Imminent
Openbank, the fully digital banking subsidiary of Grupo Santander, announced the launch of its cryptocurrency trading platform for customers in Germany as of September 16, 2025. This strategic move marks a significant step in integrating digital assets into traditional investment portfolios under robust European regulatory frameworks.
Openbank’s new service allows users to buy, sell, and hold prominent cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Polygon (MATIC), and Cardano (ADA) directly within their existing Openbank investment accounts. Customers can manage crypto assets alongside stocks, funds, and ETFs without needing to transfer funds to external platforms, ensuring a seamless and secure trading experience backed by Santander’s global financial strength.
According to Coty de Monteverde, Head of Crypto at Grupo Santander, the integration responds to growing customer demand for crypto exposure and aims to provide a broad, agile, and simple technology platform within a regulated environment. The service complies with the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), providing investor protections that are critical in today’s evolving crypto landscape.
Competitive Pricing and Features: The service applies a competitive fee of 1.49% per transaction on purchases and sales, with a minimum charge of €1 per operation and notably, no custody fees. Openbank also announced plans to expand its cryptocurrency offerings and introduce features such as cryptocurrency conversion, enabling users to swap one crypto asset for another easily within the platform in the coming months.
Currently, the initiative focuses on the German market, where Openbank already provides a wide array of investment products including over 3,000 stocks, 3,000 funds from more than 123 asset managers, over 2,000 ETFs, and AI-powered broker tools. The bank intends to launch the crypto trading service in Spain within weeks, with ambitions to further extend services across other European markets.
This launch positions Openbank as a pioneer among European digital banks by embedding cryptocurrency directly into mainstream retail banking under regulatory compliance. It reflects a growing trend of established financial institutions adapting to the rise of digital assets while maintaining investor safety through recognized legal frameworks.
In summary, Openbank’s cryptocurrency trading service represents a bridge between traditional and digital finance, leveraging Santander’s backing to offer customers regulated, easy-to-access crypto markets within a trusted banking environment.