TradFi Breakthrough! 700 German banks' apps now support Bitcoin trading platforms

Germany’s second-largest bank DZ received MiCAR approval on January 14th, launching the “meinKrypto” platform within its banking app, managing €1.2 trillion in assets embedded across 700 bank networks, supporting BTC, ETH, LTC, ADA. 71% of banks are considering following suit, with Germany leading Europe with $59 million in capital inflows.

Germany’s MiCAR regulatory breakthrough marks the official embrace of cryptocurrencies by TradFi

On January 14th, Germany’s second-largest financial institution DZ Bank officially announced it had received MiCAR approval from the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority of Germany to operate a cryptocurrency platform called “meinKrypto.” The platform’s uniqueness lies in its integration: it is not a standalone app but directly embedded into the daily-used VR banking app. An ordinary mobile banking app update is quietly placing a cryptocurrency trading button next to deposit and transfer options, at the counters of 700 partner banks in Germany, sparking a silent financial revolution.

MiCAR is the EU’s first unified cryptocurrency regulatory framework, primarily aimed at enhancing investor protection, preventing money laundering and terrorist financing, ensuring market functionality, and maintaining financial stability. Starting December 30, 2024, crypto asset service providers will need to obtain MiCAR authorization to operate. The regulation by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority of Germany provides a clear pathway for financial institutions to enter the crypto space.

DZ Bank’s approval signifies that its crypto services now fully comply with EU standards, removing barriers for offering compliant crypto trading services to retail customers. This marks the formal adoption of cryptocurrencies by TradFi—traditional finance—no longer viewing them as fringe assets or speculative tools, but as part of mainstream banking.

Through this app, millions of German depositors will be able to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum directly within a familiar banking interface. Initially supporting four mainstream digital assets: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Cardano (ADA). This conservative selection reflects the bank’s cautious stance: choosing the largest market cap, most liquid, and longest-established assets, avoiding high-risk altcoins or meme coins.

Three key features of the meinKrypto platform

Seamless integration: Embedded within existing banking apps, no need to download new apps or learn new interfaces

Bank-grade security: Custody provided by Stuttgart Stock Exchange Digital, under strict regulation

Compliance assurance: Fully aligned with MiCAR framework, with comprehensive investor protection mechanisms

This integration model exemplifies the ideal fusion of TradFi and crypto. It lowers the psychological barriers for users, eliminating the need to face unfamiliar exchange interfaces, complex wallet management, or confusing private key concepts. For middle-aged and elderly depositors or tech novices, being able to access cryptocurrencies within a trusted banking environment greatly increases adoption willingness.

€1.2 trillion giant mobilizes a network of 700 banks

DZ Bank manages over €1.2 trillion in assets. As the central institution of the German cooperative banking network, it connects 672 independent local cooperative banks, including Volksbank and Raiffeisenbank. Through the “meinKrypto” platform, DZ Bank provides crypto trading infrastructure for its cooperative network.

The platform’s technical infrastructure was co-developed by Atruvia, the IT service provider of the cooperative financial group, and DZ Bank. Stuttgart Stock Exchange Digital will provide crypto custody services. This division of labor ensures professionalism: technical development by specialized IT firms, asset custody by a regulated stock exchange, and overall coordination and customer service handled by DZ Bank.

Operationally, DZ Bank acts as the central operator managing the platform, while individual partner banks can choose whether to offer crypto services to retail customers. Each participating bank must submit a MiCAR notification to the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority before enabling crypto trading. This flexible structure respects local banks’ autonomy, allowing more conservative banks to wait and see, while proactive banks can launch services first.

According to a September 2025 survey by the German Cooperative Banking Association, an astonishing 71% of Volksbank and Raiffeisenbank are considering offering crypto services, up from 54% the previous year. About one-third plan to launch such services within the next five months. This suggests that by the first half of 2026, over 200 German banks may offer crypto services, covering millions of depositors.

In terms of assets, CoinShares data shows Germany leading Europe with $59 million in crypto capital inflows, surpassing Switzerland’s $21 million and Canada’s $24.5 million. A October 2025 Chainalysis report indicates Germany’s crypto economy grew by 54%, a trend likely to accelerate under the MiCAR framework.

User experience revolution: trust advantage of traditional banks

For ordinary depositors, the biggest advantage of the “meinKrypto” platform is its seamless integration. Users can buy, sell, and hold digital assets within a familiar banking app without downloading new software or learning complex interfaces. This removes the complexity of traditional exchanges and DeFi platforms, making crypto investing as simple as a bank transfer.

Bank-grade security measures also boost user confidence. Digital assets are custodyed by Stuttgart Digital Exchange, a regulated entity affiliated with Stuttgart Stock Exchange Group. Trading and order execution are handled by EUWAX AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stuttgart Stock Exchange, ensuring strict separation of custody and trading execution. This institutional-level security far exceeds many crypto exchanges’ standards.

From a TradFi perspective, this model addresses a long-standing dilemma: how to compete with crypto without losing customers. Previously, when clients wanted to invest in crypto, they had to transfer funds out of the bank to an exchange, losing control over those assets. Now, with built-in crypto services, banks can retain these funds and even earn from trading fees.

Stablecoin deployment signals full digital transformation of TradFi

DZ Bank’s crypto strategy extends beyond retail trading. The bank has announced joining Qivalis, a European banking alliance developing a regulated euro stablecoin. This alliance of 11 banks plans to launch the stablecoin via a new Dutch entity in the second half of 2026. This move indicates that traditional banks are fully deploying in the digital asset space, from basic crypto trading to more complex stablecoins and tokenized assets.

With the full implementation of the MiCAR framework, more EU financial institutions are expected to launch compliant crypto services. Industry leaders predict that by 2026, digital assets will be more deeply integrated into financial infrastructure, moving beyond speculative tools. They describe this shift as an evolution toward programmable markets and hybrid finance, where crypto and TradFi intertwine. Regulatory transparency in Europe and the US is expected to drive broader adoption, with stablecoins playing a key role.

When a financial giant managing €1.2 trillion quietly places a Bitcoin trading button into every depositor’s mobile banking app, change is no longer just a plan on paper. The Stuttgart Stock Exchange Digital team is ensuring the security of every crypto transaction, while local bank managers across Germany begin explaining to customers how to buy Bitcoin through familiar interfaces. As 71% of German cooperative banks prepare to follow suit, this financial experiment starting in Frankfurt is quietly transforming the continent’s financial DNA.

The greatest revolution often begins with the smallest entry point. Today, that entry point is embedded in our most trusted financial lives. They haven’t shouted “Long live decentralization,” but with a century-old banking reputation, they are issuing the mainstream society’s passport to the crypto world. When change no longer requires you to alter your habits but seamlessly integrates into your life—that is true disruption. History is being rewritten, and the key is in your hands.