Germany's largest direct bank now offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana ETPs through standard brokerage accounts with zero fees on orders over 1,000 EUR.
ING Deutschland, Germany's largest direct bank with over 9 million customers, has opened crypto ETP trading through its Direct Depot brokerage accounts, marking a major milestone for retail crypto adoption in Europe's largest economy.
As of February 2, ING Deutschland customers can now purchase exchange-traded products tracking Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP directly from their existing securities accounts. The bank partnered with major issuers including 21Shares, VanEck, Bitwise, BlackRock's iShares, and WisdomTree.
The products are fully backed by actual cryptocurrency holdings and trade on regulated European exchanges. ING is offering fee-free trading on orders of 1,000 EUR or more, while smaller orders incur a flat 3.90 EUR fee. Crypto ETP savings plans are completely free.
Germany's tax treatment remains favorable: investors holding positions for more than one year may qualify for capital gains tax exemption, the same treatment as direct crypto ownership.
This move brings crypto exposure to millions of mainstream German investors who may have avoided the complexity of crypto wallets and exchanges. Research from Deutsche Bank shows crypto adoption among German retail investors reached 9% in 2025, and ING's offering could significantly accelerate that trend.
The launch comes during a sharp market downturn, with Bitcoin trading near $76,000 after hitting 16-month lows. Contrarian investors may view this as an opportune entry point, while the institutional infrastructure removes traditional barriers to participation.
ING did include standard risk warnings highlighting potential for significant losses due to price volatility, consistent with European regulatory requirements for crypto products.
German banks are racing to offer crypto services as regulatory clarity improves under EU's MiCA framework. Competitors like DZ Bank, which secured its MiCA license in January, and Commerzbank are also expanding crypto services. ING's first-mover advantage with its massive retail customer base could establish early dominance in this growing market segment.
The launch signals growing institutional acceptance of crypto in traditional European banking, even as market conditions remain volatile.
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Disclaimer: News content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Market conditions can change rapidly. Always conduct your own research.
