ING Deutschland, one of Germany’s largest retail banks, has begun offering retail clients access to cryptocurrency-linked exchange-traded notes (ETNs) and products, allowing customers to gain exposure To bitcoin and other cryptocurrency directly from their securities account.
Information published by ING on its website indicates that the products in question are exchange traded instruments with physical backing issued by established asset management companies such as 21Shares Bitwise and VanEck.
These instruments are designed to track individual cryptocurrency performance and allow them to be traded on regulated exchanges using ING Direct Depot, the platform that is usually used for mutual funds, stocks, ETFs and other securities.
Bank officials said that the bank’s bitcoin offer is designed to reduce barriers for cryptocurrency investing. This will be achieved by integrating exposure to digital assets into existing banking infrastructure.
The securities account will handle custody and execution. Clients don’t need to manage their private keys or run self-custody Wallets.
“This creates another particularly low-threshold access to crypto investments via exchange-traded products,” said Martijn Rzemuller CEO VanEck Europe. Translated press release. “Many investors want a solution that fits into existing depot structures and at the same time convinces them with transparent costs. That’s exactly what this partnership stands for.”
ING pointed out that in Germany, bitcoin ETNs and crypto ETNs get the same tax treatment as directly-held cryptocurrencies. According to current German tax laws, investors can claim a capital gain exemption on cryptocurrency assets if they hold the asset for longer than a year. This could make the product attractive to those who are looking at it long term.
Although the bank has expanded the access to its products, it still stresses that they carry considerable risks. ING warns of “extreme” Digital assets are subject to price volatility, liquidity risks, manipulation of markets, as well as ongoing regulatory uncertainty.
ING’s educational materials, published in conjunction with the launch of the new asset class, took a remarkably conservative stance regarding the asset itself.
“Cryptocurrencies are speculative products that have no intrinsic value,” The bank added that cryptocurrency prices were volatile. “strongly dependent on psychological effects,” These factors also affect crypto-exchange traded products.
German banks embrace bitcoin
Germany’s largest banking groups are bringing crypto trading to the regulated retail banking sector. DZ Bank has secured MiCAR will be rolling out their vehicles with approval from the MiCAR. “meinKrypto” The platform will be available across all cooperative banks and allow customers to buy, sell, and store digital assets such as Bitcoin directly in their banking apps. Customers can also become part of a consortium that is developing a euro stablecoin.
In parallel, the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe plans DekaBank is providing technical support to help launch Bitcoin and cryptocurrency trading by private customers in summer 2026. The bank has reversed its scepticism about digital assets.
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Source: bitcoinmagazine.com
