Spanish financial giant Banco Santander SA has announced the launch of cryptocurrency trading capabilities for retail clients of its online bank Openbank. Initially, the new service is available to users in Germany, with clients in Spain set to gain access in the coming weeks.
This is reported by Business • Media
Main Cryptocurrencies and Trading Conditions
Openbank allows the buying and selling of five major digital assets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, and Cardano. The minimum transaction amount is €1 (approximately $1.18), and the fee for each transaction is 1.49%. Additionally, the bank will not charge for the storage of cryptocurrency assets in clients’ accounts. In the future, the list of cryptocurrencies is expected to expand, broadening investment opportunities for users.
“By including major cryptocurrencies in our investment platform, we are responding to the demand from some of our clients,” said Coty de Monteverde, head of the cryptocurrency division at Grupo Santander.
Market Impact and New Trends
Santander’s entry into the cryptocurrency trading market is a significant step among European banks following the implementation of the MiCA regulation in the EU. This aligns with a broader European trend: an increasing number of large financial institutions are integrating cryptocurrency services into their platforms. For instance, in July 2025, UAE’s RAKBANK announced the launch of cryptocurrency trading in partnership with Bitpanda, and in August, CMB International Securities became the first Chinese brokerage firm to officially offer such services in Hong Kong. Furthermore, Spanish bank BBVA recently implemented Ripple Custody solutions for the secure storage of digital assets.
Additionally, Santander is considering the possibility of issuing its own stablecoin, in line with global trends after the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump supported new legislation regarding stablecoins. This encourages major banks in the U.S. and Europe to actively explore the digital asset market and expand their presence in this sector.
Experts note that Openbank has every chance of becoming one of the key players at the intersection of traditional banking and new financial technologies, offering clients innovative tools for investing. At the same time, other alternatives are emerging in the market: for example, the neobank Revolut launched the Revolut X cryptocurrency exchange for experienced traders in May 2024, and in March 2025, it introduced its mobile application.