A significant proportion of European investors are considering changing banks to gain access to better cryptocurrency services, a recent study by Boerse Stuttgart Digital indicates, highlighting a significant shift in the role of digital assets in retail finance across Europe. The study, which surveyed 6,000 individuals across Germany, Italy, Spain, and France between August 2025 and January 2026, discovered that 35% of respondents would contemplate switching banks if another institution provided 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%.
Meanwhile, cryptocurrency ownership continues to grow, with around 25% of respondents stating they have already invested in digital assets, led by Spain at nearly 28%, followed by Germany at 25%, and then Italy and France. Despite its origins outside traditional finance, the study suggests that banks are likely to play a central role in the next phase of cryptocurrency development. Investors are more than twice as likely to trust their primary bank for crypto services than they are to trust specialized platforms.
This trust advantage is notable given that many investors still struggle to understand cryptocurrency, with over 60% stating they feel poorly informed, and 69% describing it as too complex. Regulatory concerns also persist, with 76% viewing cryptocurrency as insufficiently regulated and therefore risky.
The findings suggest a potential opportunity for banks, as nearly one in five respondents expect their bank to offer cryptocurrency access within the next three years, indicating 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 but 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 aiming to create a more consistent market across the region by setting common rules for crypto service providers. Nearly half of respondents stated that European Union rules, such as the MiCA, increase their trust in digital assets, suggesting that further regulatory clarity could help attract more investors to the market.