Catenaa, Friday, February 06, 2026-ING Deutschland has opened retail access to cryptocurrency-linked exchange-traded products, allowing customers in Germany to gain exposure to bitcoin, ether and solana through regulated investment instruments.
According to information published on the bank’s website, the products are physically backed exchange-traded notes issued by providers including 21Shares, Bitwise and VanEck.
The instruments track the price performance of individual cryptocurrencies and are traded on regulated exchanges via ING’s Direct Depot platform.
ING said the offering is designed to lower barriers for retail participation by using existing banking infrastructure. Customers can invest without setting up external crypto wallets or managing private keys, while holding the products alongside traditional securities.
The bank noted that the tax treatment of the products aligns with Germany’s rules for direct crypto holdings, including potential capital gains exemptions for positions held longer than one year.
ING cautioned that the instruments carry elevated risk.
The bank highlighted sharp price swings, liquidity constraints, issuer insolvency risk, possible market abuse and regulatory uncertainty as key factors investors should consider. It also described cryptocurrencies as speculative assets whose prices are heavily influenced by market sentiment.
The move reflects ING’s broader expansion into digital assets. In September, the Dutch banking group joined a consortium of European banks working on a euro-denominated stablecoin intended for regulated payments across the region.
Germany has emerged as a focal market for regulated crypto investment products as banks and asset managers prepare for expanding retail demand under clearer European rules.
ING’s entry into crypto-linked exchange-traded products places it among a growing number of traditional lenders offering digital asset exposure within established financial frameworks
