According to a recent study by Boerse Stuttgart Digital, a significant proportion of European investors are considering switching banks in pursuit of better cryptocurrency services, marking a significant shift in the role of digital assets in shaping retail finance across the region. The study, which surveyed 6,000 individuals across Germany, Italy, Spain, and France between August 2025 and January 2026, found that 35% of respondents would consider changing banks if another institution offered more robust crypto investment options. This figure is highest in Spain, at 40%, followed by Italy at 35%, France at 33%, and Germany at 29%.
Notably, cryptocurrency ownership continues to grow, with around 25% of respondents reporting that they have already invested in digital assets, led by Spain at nearly 28%, followed by Germany at 25%, and then Italy and France. Despite the origins of cryptocurrency outside traditional finance, the study suggests that banks remain crucial to its future development. Investors are more than twice as likely to trust their primary bank for crypto services than specialized platforms.
However, many investors still struggle to understand cryptocurrency, with over 60% feeling poorly informed and 69% describing it as too complex. Concerns about regulation persist, with 76% viewing cryptocurrency as insufficiently regulated and therefore risky. The findings indicate a potential opportunity for banks, as nearly one in five respondents expect their bank to offer crypto access within the next three years, suggesting that digital assets are transitioning from a niche offering to a standard feature in retail finance. Access to cryptocurrency in Europe has expanded in recent years, though it remains uneven, with some banks and fintech firms offering trading or custody services, while many large institutions have taken a cautious approach.
Regulation is beginning to shape the landscape, with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework setting common rules for crypto service providers. Nearly half of respondents said that European Union rules, such as the MiCA, increase their trust in digital assets, indicating that further regulatory clarity could help bring more investors into the market.