According to a study by Boerse Stuttgart Digital, a significant proportion of European investors are considering changing banks to gain access to better cryptocurrency services, indicating a significant shift in the role of digital assets in 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 switching banks if another institution offered more robust cryptocurrency investment options. This figure is highest in Spain at 40%, followed by Italy at 35%, France at 33%, and Germany at 29%.
Despite the complexity and perceived risks of cryptocurrency, ownership continues to grow, with around 25% of respondents stating they have already invested in digital assets. Spain leads in terms of ownership at nearly 28%, followed by Germany at 25%, and then Italy and France.
The study suggests that banks remain crucial in the next phase of cryptocurrency development, with investors more than twice as likely to trust their primary bank for cryptocurrency services over specialized platforms. However, understanding and trust in cryptocurrency remain challenges, with over 60% of respondents feeling poorly informed and 69% finding it too complex. Concerns about regulation also persist, with 76% viewing cryptocurrency as insufficiently regulated and thus risky. The findings indicate a potential opportunity for banks, as nearly one in five respondents expects their bank to offer cryptocurrency access within the next three years, signaling a move towards digital assets becoming a standard feature in retail finance.
The regulatory landscape, including the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, is expected to play a significant role in shaping the market, with nearly half of respondents stating that EU rules increase their trust in digital assets.