ING Deutschland, Germany’s largest retail bank, has begun offering crypto investment products linked to bitcoin, ether and solana directly through customers’ bank-linked securities accounts, giving retail investors easier access to digital assets without handling wallets or private keys.
According to the bank’s website, the products are physically backed exchange-traded products (ETPs) issued by major asset managers including 21Shares, Bitwise and VanEck. The instruments track the price movements of the underlying cryptocurrencies and trade on regulated exchanges via ING’s Direct Depot platform, the bank’s self-directed securities account used for stocks, ETFs and investment funds.
ING positions the crypto ETPs as a simple on-ramp for investors, allowing them to gain exposure to digital assets within their existing banking and investment setup, while avoiding the operational complexities typically associated with holding cryptocurrencies directly.
The launch reflects growing retail demand for crypto exposure in Europe, even as prices remain volatile. Research from Deutsche Bank shows that retail crypto adoption in Germany reached 9% in 2025, compared with 12% in the United States, suggesting room for further growth.
Martijn Rozemuller, CEO of VanEck Europe, said the partnership with ING lowers the barrier to entry for crypto investing by integrating it into familiar investment infrastructure.
“Many investors are looking for solutions that fit into existing depot structures while offering transparent costs,” Rozemuller said in a translated statement. “This cooperation brings crypto exposure to where investors already manage their portfolios — their securities account.”
Notably, the crypto ETPs receive the same tax treatment in Germany as holding bitcoin directly. Investors who hold the products for more than one year are exempt from capital gains tax, a feature that enhances their appeal for long-term investors.
