Santander’s Openbank Launches Crypto Trading in Germany
Santander’s digital banking subsidiary Openbank has officially launched cryptocurrency trading services for customers in Germany, allowing them to buy, sell and hold Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, Polygon and Cardano alongside their traditional investments. The service, announced on September 16, 2025, represents a significant milestone in European banking’s embrace of digital assets.
The cryptocurrency offering will be rolled out in Spain in the coming weeks, marking Openbank as one of the first major European banks to fully integrate cryptocurrency trading into its retail banking platform.
What Cryptocurrencies Are Available?
Openbank customers in Germany can now trade five major cryptocurrencies:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – The world’s largest cryptocurrency
- Ethereum (ETH) – The second-largest crypto by market cap
- Litecoin (LTC) – A peer-to-peer cryptocurrency
- Polygon (MATIC) – A blockchain scaling solution
- Cardano (ADA) – A proof-of-stake blockchain platform
Over the coming months, Openbank will expand its portfolio of available cryptocurrencies and will offer new functionalities such as conversion between different cryptocurrencies.
Competitive Fees and Regulatory Compliance
Transparent Pricing Structure
The new cryptocurrency trading service comes with competitive fees of 1.49% on asset sale and purchases (with a minimum of €1 per operation) and no custody fees. This pricing positions Openbank competitively against standalone cryptocurrency exchanges while providing the security and regulatory backing of a major banking institution.
MiCA Regulation Protection
One of the service’s key advantages is its compliance with the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). Customers can enjoy the backing of Santander and the guarantees and investor protection provided by the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
Openbank’s receipt of a Spanish MiCA license in July enables the bank to offer cryptocurrency services across European Union markets through passporting rules, facilitating the planned expansion to Spain and potentially other EU countries.
Integrated Investment Platform Approach
Seamless Portfolio Management
Starting today, the bank will enable customers to buy, sell or hold Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, Polygon and Cardano together with their other investments. And all this without having to transfer money to any other platform.
This integrated approach eliminates the friction typically associated with cryptocurrency trading, where customers must use separate platforms and manage multiple accounts.
Comprehensive Investment Ecosystem
Openbank’s current offerings include an automated investment service, Robo Advisor; a portfolio of more than 3,000 stocks; 3,000 investment funds from over 123 asset managers; and more than 2,000 ETFs. In recent weeks, it has also launched a broker platform equipped with artificial intelligence-based tools that deliver target prices for more than 1,000 European and US stocks.
Market Context and Industry Trends
European Banking’s Crypto Evolution
The banking sector is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by the increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies and the opportunities they bring to traditional finance. With the global crypto market now exceeding $3 trillion, European banks can no longer afford to ignore the growing demand for digital asset services.
Recent survey data shows broad consensus from both private (27%) and business investors (56%) that cryptocurrencies will become more relevant over the next three years. Additionally, more than 16% of private investors and more than 40% of business investors are already invested in cryptocurrencies.
Digital Banking Innovation
In 2025, 41% of Europeans regularly manage at least two currencies from their mobile devices, and over a quarter have used cryptocurrencies to make payments in the past year. This growing adoption has created market pressure for traditional banks to offer integrated cryptocurrency services.
Strategic Implications for Santander
Openbank’s Digital Strategy
As Santander’s 100% digital bank, Openbank serves as the group’s laboratory for innovative financial services. The cryptocurrency launch aligns with broader digital banking trends and positions Santander competitively in the evolving financial services landscape.
Expansion Timeline
While the service is initially available only in Germany, these assets will also be available to Openbank customers in Spain in a few weeks. The MiCA passporting framework could enable further EU expansion without requiring separate regulatory approvals in each jurisdiction.
Key Takeaways
- Market Entry: Santander’s Openbank becomes one of the first major European banks to offer integrated cryptocurrency trading
- Competitive Pricing: 1.49% trading fees with no custody charges, competitive with standalone crypto exchanges
- Regulatory Compliance: Full MiCA regulation compliance provides institutional-grade security and consumer protection
- Portfolio Integration: Cryptocurrencies managed alongside traditional investments on a single platform
- Geographic Expansion: Germany launch followed by Spain rollout within weeks, with potential EU-wide expansion
- Product Evolution: Plans to expand cryptocurrency selection and add inter-crypto conversion features
Read more on crypto updates and news from readbitz.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Currently, you can trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, and Cardano, with plans to expand the selection in the coming months.
Openbank charges 1.49% on purchases and sales (minimum €1 per transaction) with no custody fees for holding cryptocurrencies.
Yes, Openbank’s cryptocurrency service operates under the European MiCA regulation, providing institutional-grade consumer protection.
Yes, cryptocurrencies appear in the same portfolio as your stocks, funds, and ETFs, eliminating the need for separate platforms.
The cryptocurrency trading service will launch in Spain within the coming weeks following the German rollout.
Christine Morgan is a senior staff writer and journalist at ReadBitz.com, where she brings clarity and context to the most pressing global events. As a leading voice on the daily news desk, she is dedicated to demystifying the complex web of international affairs, politics, and economics for a diverse global readership.