Openbank, the digital banking arm of Santander, has launched cryptocurrency trading services for its customers in Germany. This new feature allows users to buy, sell, and hold five major digital assets—Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, and Cardano—right from their existing Openbank accounts, without needing to transfer funds to external platforms. The integration is designed to provide a seamless experience, putting cryptocurrencies alongside traditional investment options like stocks, funds, and ETFs within a single interface.

This expansion is made possible by the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework, which aims to standardize rules and enhance investor protection across EU member states. Openbank’s entry under these regulations highlights the growing confidence and interest of established European banks in the crypto sector. The bank has secured its MiCA license, ensuring that all crypto transactions are fully compliant with strict EU standards.

Openbank charges a competitive 1.49% transaction fee, with a €1 minimum per trade, and does not impose custody fees for holding crypto assets. The platform’s direct integration offers customers the convenience of managing both digital and traditional assets in one secure environment backed by Santander’s robust infrastructure.

The bank has also announced plans to extend the crypto trading service to Spanish customers in the coming weeks, with a broader European rollout anticipated. In the near future, Openbank plans to add more cryptocurrencies and offer new features, such as crypto-to-crypto conversions, further enhancing its investment platform.

This launch follows Openbank’s broader digital strategy, which includes AI-driven investment tools and access to thousands of equities, ETFs, and funds. By uniting traditional banking stability with the innovation of digital assets, Openbank is positioning itself as a leader in the evolving landscape of financial services in Europe.