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ING Deutschland, the German retail banking arm of ING Group, has launched access to cryptocurrency-linked exchange-traded notes (ETNs) and products (ETPs) for its retail clients, enabling seamless exposure to major digital assets through regulated brokerage accounts.
Rolled out starting February 2, 2026, the initiative allows customers with a Direkt-Depot securities account to trade physically backed ETNs/ETPs tracking Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP, and diversified crypto indices or baskets. Issuers include prominent providers such as 21Shares, VanEck (offering around 11 single-asset and thematic ETNs), Bitwise (including Core Bitcoin and Physical Ethereum ETPs), WisdomTree, and BlackRock’s iShares.
Products are listed on regulated European exchanges like Xetra (Deutsche Börse), providing a familiar, securities-like structure—no wallets, private keys, or separate crypto platforms required. ING promotes this as meeting rising customer demand while complying with Germany’s rigorous regulations and the EU’s MiCA framework, which has boosted clarity and institutional adoption.
Notable features include zero-commission trading on orders of €1,000 or more for select products (e.g., Bitwise offerings), automatic savings plans for recurring investments, and potential tax benefits (e.g., long-term holdings may qualify for exemptions similar to direct crypto in Germany). With millions of brokerage clients and substantial depot volume, even modest adoption could direct significant inflows into these instruments.
Analysts hail the move as a key milestone in traditional finance’s convergence with crypto, positioning ING as a proactive leader among European banks. It lowers entry barriers for conservative retail investors wary of direct ownership risks, contrasting with unregulated exchanges. The expansion aligns with growing European interest in structured crypto products post-MiCA, potentially spurring competitors to accelerate similar offerings amid maturing markets and regulatory tailwinds.
ING stresses the high speculative risks and urges informed decisions, but views the products as an accessible gateway to the crypto economy within trusted banking infrastructure. This development underscores Europe’s progressive approach to regulated digital asset integration.
