Sparkassen Adds XRP Trading Through DekaBank for Retail Customers
German savings bank network Sparkassen has introduced XRP trading via DekaBank, charging €0.99 per order plus spread and using custody arrangements that do not give customers private keys. The phased rollout follows interest from more than 230 banks, while Sparkassen manages about €1.62 trillion in assets and serves roughly 50 million customers. Trading became available in its banking app on October 19, 2026.
DekaBank supplies the trading infrastructure for Sparkassen’s retail customers, with each order costing €0.99 plus a spread. Assets are held in pooled custody, so users do not receive private keys, and withdrawal access is limited. The service is being introduced in stages after interest from more than 230 banks.
Sparkassen serves about 50 million customers and manages roughly €1.62 trillion in assets, including €1.247 trillion in deposits and over €1.08 trillion in loans. XRP trading appeared in its banking app on October 19, 2026, alongside other initial crypto assets.
This could affect German retail bank customers by making crypto exposure accessible through familiar banking apps, potentially lowering barriers for people who prefer regulated-looking channels. It may also concentrate custody and operational risk within established institutions, while customers lose direct control of private keys. Broader adoption could normalize crypto trading among mainstream savers, but limited withdrawal rights and spreads may shape how users experience risk and cost.