Nordea Reverses Its Crypto Stance, to Offer Bitcoin ETP Access in December

Nordea, Scandinavia’s largest bank, announced that it will allow customers to access a Bitcoin-linked exchange-traded product (ETP) starting in December. The ETP, developed by digital asset investment firm CoinShares, is backed directly by Bitcoin and marks Nordea’s first move toward providing exposure to digital assets.

The offering will be available on an “execution-only” basis, meaning customers can purchase the product but will not receive investment advice from the bank. Nordea, which manages over $286 billion in assets and serves around 10 million customers, said the new service reflects a more mature and better-regulated crypto market.

Regulations and Demand Drive Policy Shift

Nordea’s change in attitude is a striking turnaround from 2018, when it banned employees from buying or holding Bitcoin, citing the unregulated and high-risk nature of the market. At the time, the bank publicly stated it had “no risk appetite or direct exposure to virtual currencies.”

Now, the environment has changed dramatically. In a statement released Thursday, Nordea said its new position stems from clearer regulations and improved investor protection, particularly under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which provides a comprehensive legal framework for digital assets across Europe.

“Nordea has closely monitored trends in cryptocurrencies but maintained a cautious approach due to the unregulated nature of crypto-assets,” the bank said. “Against this background, Nordea remains open-minded to offering products and services to meet our customers’ needs as the environment matures.”

Nordic Crypto Adoption Accelerates

Beyond regulation, growing customer demand has also played a key role in Nordea’s decision. The bank noted a surge in interest for crypto-linked investment products, such as ETPs, as institutional and retail investors seek safer ways to gain exposure through traditional financial systems.

According to a March 2025 survey by digital asset company K33, around 2.1 million people across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland currently own crypto — up from 1.5 million last year. The report also found that 28% of respondents plan to buy crypto within the next decade, potentially pushing total ownership to 6.4 million by 2035.

With Nordea’s entry into the space, Europe’s largest Nordic bank appears ready to meet that growing demand.