Openbank, the digital banking subsidiary of Grupo Santander, has launched a direct cryptocurrency trading service for its German customers, enabling them to buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Polygon (MATIC), and Cardano (ADA) directly through its platform. The service operates under the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework, integrating crypto alongside traditional investment products without requiring external exchanges or wallets.
The rollout, which began on September 16, 2025, leverages Santander's infrastructure to provide secure, regulated access to digital assets. Openbank plans to expand these services to Spain in the coming weeks, with additional tokens and crypto-to-crypto conversions expected. Coty de Monteverde, head of crypto at Grupo Santander, cited rising customer demand as the driver for this initiative.
Santander, one of Europe's largest banks with over 175 million customers, has a history in blockchain dating back to its Ripple-powered One Pay FX app in 2018. This move aligns with broader trends in Germany, where major banks like DZ Bank, Deutsche Bank, and Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe are also advancing crypto services under MiCA.