TLDR
- ING offers 11 VanEck crypto ETNs to 3.2 million brokerage clients.
- Clients can buy Bitcoin and altcoins without exchange sign-ups.
- ING’s launch follows MiCA clarity removing crypto legal hurdles.
- €134.6B in deposits could channel billions into crypto products.
Germany’s ING bank just made investing in crypto as simple as buying a stock. With MiCA regulation removing legal uncertainty, ING has opened zero-fee access to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies for 3.2 million brokerage customers. No crypto exchange sign-ups, no wallets—just one tap in the same app already used for stocks. This move signals a shift as European banks bring crypto directly to everyday investors through regulated channels.
Banking Leader Expands Crypto Access
ING Deutschland has launched commission-free crypto Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) for its 3.2 million brokerage clients. Customers can now invest in crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum using VanEck products. These ETNs are available within the same app customers use to manage equities, without the need for crypto exchange accounts or wallet management.
🚨NEWS: ING Deutschland (ING-DiBa), one of Germany’s largest retail brokers, now lets clients invest in Bitcoin ETNs and crypto ETPs for Ethereum, @Solana (incl. staking), and crypto indexes. Products from multiple issuers, including 21Shares, can be traded directly via client… pic.twitter.com/DmFvWAb36B
— SolanaFloor (@SolanaFloor) February 3, 2026
The move comes after the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation removed legal uncertainty around digital assets. ING offers 11 ETNs covering major cryptocurrencies. Orders above €1,000 are free of charge, and automatic savings plans are supported.
MiCA Regulation Changes Competitive Landscape
MiCA, which came into full effect in December 2024, created a uniform legal framework across the EU for crypto assets. It enables banks to treat crypto ETNs like traditional securities, which reduces compliance issues and supports broader adoption. The remaining transitional window for older providers will close in July 2026.
As legal clarity improves, banks like ING are using their established infrastructure to distribute crypto services. Unlike crypto-native platforms, banks already manage customer identities, transactions, and investment platforms, giving them a major advantage in distribution.
ING’s Size Positions It for Rapid Growth in Crypto
ING Deutschland ended 2025 with €134.6 billion in customer deposits and processed over 55 million securities transactions that year. Even small customer interest in crypto could drive billions of euros into ETNs. For example, if just 5% of deposit volume moves into crypto, ING could allocate up to €6.73 billion through its new offerings.
Customers can access crypto assets as easily as they purchase mutual funds or equities. This integration removes barriers and simplifies participation for those who would not otherwise invest through dedicated crypto exchanges.
Other European Banks Join the Trend
ING is part of a broader group of European banks entering the crypto space under MiCA. BBVA in Spain enabled retail crypto access in July 2025. Santander’s Openbank allowed spot trading in Germany starting September 2025, and CaixaBank added Bitcoin-linked products through its imagin app in November 2025.
These services offer customers an easy, familiar interface while banks handle custody and compliance. This model attracts users who trust their banks but might avoid self-custody platforms or decentralized exchanges.
Germany’s Flows Show Strong Demand in Regulated Channels
According to CoinShares, German investors continued to move funds into crypto ETNs in January 2026 even when global markets showed large outflows. Germany recorded $63.9 million in inflows during a global $2.17 billion peak week. When the market saw $1.73 billion in outflows the following week, German inflows still reached $19.1 million.
This trend points to stable demand for crypto products accessed through banks. Automated investment plans and familiar banking apps make adoption easier and less reactive to market volatility.
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