TL;DR
- Retail clients in Germany can access crypto ETPs through ING, gaining regulated exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana via standard bank investment accounts.
- The rollout delivers bank-led crypto exposure via exchange-traded products, without direct crypto trading or custody.
Retail clients at ING Germany can now gain crypto exposure through regulated exchange-traded instruments held inside their existing bank accounts. The bank has enabled access to crypto-linked ETPs and ETNs that track major digital assets, positioning the rollout as a routine extension of its retail investment offering rather than a new trading service.
The change places crypto ETPs alongside other securities already available to ING customers in Germany. It also reflects a broader shift toward bank-led crypto exposure delivered within established compliance and risk frameworks.
ING integrates crypto ETPs into its retail investment platform
The new offering allows customers in Germany to purchase crypto ETPs via the same interfaces used for stocks, funds, and bonds. Access is provided through listed products rather than direct interaction with crypto markets. As a result, ING clients gain market exposure without opening exchange accounts or managing private keys.
This structure keeps crypto investments inside the bank’s standard securities infrastructure. It also aligns with a growing focus on regulated crypto investment in Europe, where banks emphasize product familiarity and operational continuity.
What products are offered
ING’s rollout centers on exchange-traded products and notes that track leading cryptocurrencies. The lineup includes instruments linked to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, offered as crypto-linked ETPs and ETNs.
Crucially, the bank does not provide direct crypto trading or custody. Investors receive crypto exposure without custody, and positions settle like other securities on regulated venues. This distinction matters for risk, reporting, and consumer protections, and it underpins ING’s conservative approach.
>>> Read more: Revolut MiCA License Sets Path to Europe’s Super-App
Crypto ETPs follow ING’s standard third-party product model
ING’s crypto-linked ETPs and ETNs follow the same third-party distribution model the bank uses for other exchange-traded investment products. Rather than issuing instruments itself, ING makes securities created by specialist asset managers available through its retail platform.
The issuers behind the crypto ETP lineup include Bitwise, VanEck, and 21Shares, all of which focus on regulated crypto-linked exchange-traded products. Product structuring, index methodology, and asset exposure remain the responsibility of the issuers, while ING acts solely as a distributor.
This approach allows ING to offer crypto investment products without altering its operating model or balance-sheet exposure. From the bank’s perspective, crypto ETPs are handled in the same way as other externally issued securities, reinforcing the view that digital-asset exposure is being integrated as a conventional investment category rather than treated as a standalone service.
Germany’s framework enables bank-led crypto exposure
Germany has emerged as a natural entry point for regulated crypto investment in Europe. Existing rules already support exchange-traded crypto instruments within the securities regime, giving banks a clear path to distribution.
By operating within this framework, ING can offer bank-led crypto exposure that meets domestic compliance standards. The result is a tightly scoped product expansion rather than a broader shift into digital-asset services.
Crypto normalization moves from exchanges to traditional banks
The availability of crypto exposure via traditional bank products reflects a wider normalization trend. Crypto is increasingly accessed through familiar investment vehicles instead of standalone platforms. For banks, this means treating digital assets as another market exposure rather than a parallel financial system.
This evolution supports crypto normalization in banking by embedding exposure within established investor workflows. It also reframes crypto as a portfolio component that sits alongside equities and funds.
What changes for retail investors
For customers, the main change is convenience. Retail crypto exposure via banks reduces friction by keeping investments within a single account and a single regulatory perimeter. It also simplifies reporting and account oversight.
At the same time, core market risks remain. Volatility, tracking differences, and product complexity still apply. The rollout does not alter price behavior or market dynamics, and it does not equate to owning crypto directly.
>>> Read more: Santander’s Openbank Launches Crypto Services in Germany
A cautious step toward normalization
ING’s move illustrates how large banks are approaching digital assets today. By offering securities-based crypto access through ETPs and ETNs, the bank expands choice while maintaining conservative boundaries.
The significance lies less in scale than in structure. As crypto ETPs become part of standard retail investing at ING Germany, crypto continues its shift from a niche market to a normalized asset exposure within European banking.
