German Asset Manager DekaBank Launches Crypto Trading and Custody Services

DekaBank, a German investment bank with 377 billion euros ($395 billion) in assets under management, has launched crypto trading and custody services for institutional clients.

According to a Bloomberg report, the asset management company’s decision comes after it received approval for a crypto custody license from Germany’s financial regulator (BaFin). The license will operate under the European Central Bank’s (ECB) oversight.

Commenting on the latest development, DekaBank Board Member Martin K. Müller said:

“We have the necessary experience, the required licenses, and a tested and ready-to-use infrastructure to support savings banks and our other institutional customers.”

The launch of DekaBank’s crypto trading and custody services also comes after almost two years of development and at a time when institutional interest in digital assets is gaining momentum.

The company sees crypto investments as a strategic opportunity, especially for diversifying investment portfolios.

Large banks and financial institutions have been keen to offer secure and regulated services to clients who wish to diversify their portfolios with digital assets. The asset management giant’s entry into the market positions the firm as a key player in the emerging sector of institutional crypto services.

DeKaBank Offers Security And Transparency

According to the report, DekaBank, the asset manager for Germany’s largest financial services group, Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, is promoting its new service with an emphasis on security and regulatory compliance.

Other financial institutions in Germany’s savings bank sector have also launched crypto services. For example, Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW) has partnered with crypto platform Bitpanda, enabling corporate clients to buy and sell digital assets. 

Meanwhile, Germany’s cooperative banks, led by DZ Bank, plan to roll out a crypto offering aimed at private customers by mid-year. The launch is a collaboration with IT service provider Atruvia and the Stuttgart Stock Exchange.

DekaBank’s crypto offerings will likely serve as an essential gateway for pension funds and other traditional investment vehicles, which have traditionally been hesitant to invest in digital assets due to regulatory concerns and security.

Over 70% Uninterested in Crypto

While the asset management giant now offers crypto offerings to customers, early this month, Global financial services company JPMorgan Chase’s survey noted that over 70% of institutional investors remain uninterested in engaging with the crypto market this year.

The Wall Street giant reported that the percentage dropped from 78% in 2024 to 71% in 2025. The survey also found that 16% of respondents plan to trade crypto this year, while 13% already trade it—both numbers higher than in 2024.