Germany’s DZ Bank Enters Crypto Market Under MiCAR

Germany’s DZ Bank has taken a major step into the digital asset space after receiving approval under Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR).

This move places DZ Bank among the first large cooperative institutions in Europe to bring cryptocurrency trading directly into traditional banking systems.

DZ Bank Secures BaFin License to Launch meinKrypto Platform

The license was issued by Germany’s financial regulator, BaFin. It allows the bank to offer regulated crypto services and run its own digital asset platform, called meinKrypto. 

Through this approval, the bank meets European rules while expanding its range of financial services. DZ Bank developed the meinKrypto platform in partnership with Atruvia, the IT service provider for Germany’s cooperative banking sector. 

The platform functions as a fully digital wallet integrated directly into the VR Banking app. It targets self-directed clients who prefer managing their investments independently, rather than relying on advisory-based services.

The platform will first become available to the cooperative banks’ central institutions. After that, each individual cooperative bank must submit its own MiCAR notification to BaFin before offering crypto trading to retail customers. 

Once approved, users can buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly inside DZ Bank’s platform, without using other apps. At launch, meinKrypto will support major digital coins such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum, Cardano (ADA), and Litecoin. 

Each cooperative bank will choose whether to offer this service to its customers, allowing banks to match crypto services with their own risk rules and customer needs.

German Banks Move Closer to Offering Crypto Services

Germany’s banking sector is moving steadily into the crypto market as interest from cooperative and large commercial banks continues to grow. 

A Genoverband study from September 2025 found that more than one-third of Germany’s cooperative banks plan to offer crypto services. 

DZ Bank’s MiCAR approval now gives these banks a clear legal path to move ahead. Following DZ Bank’s latest approval, Deutsche Bank also said it plans to start crypto operations in 2026. 

It is working with Bitpanda’s technology unit to build crypto custody services. This move shows that large European banks are getting ready to play a bigger role in digital assets.

Germany Strengthens Its Role as a Crypto Hub in Europe

Germany is strengthening its role as a key hub for crypto growth in Europe. Major exchanges such as OKX have started operating in the country under MiCA licenses. 

This allows them to offer crypto services across the European Economic Area (EEA). Beyond exchanges, crypto access in Germany is also expanding through banks and fintech firms. 

Several financial players are already active in the market. Openbank launched crypto trading for German customers last September, allowing users to buy, sell, and hold assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, and Cardano.

Coinbase has partnered with Tink to let users buy and sell crypto directly from their bank accounts using “pay by bank” services. This process makes transactions easier and faster.