According to a new study by Boerse Stuttgart Digital, a significant proportion of European investors are considering changing banks to access better cryptocurrency services, highlighting a shift in the role of digital assets in retail finance across the region. The study, which surveyed 6,000 individuals in 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 increases to 40% in Spain, followed by Italy at 35%, France at 33%, and Germany at 29%. Despite the complexity of cryptocurrency, ownership continues to grow, with around 25% of respondents stating they have already invested in digital assets.
Spain leads with nearly 28%, followed by Germany at 25%, and Italy and France slightly behind. The study suggests that banks remain central to the next phase of cryptocurrency development, with investors more than twice as likely to trust their primary bank for cryptocurrency services than specialized platforms. However, many investors still struggle to understand cryptocurrency, with over 60% stating they feel 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, with nearly one in five respondents expecting their bank to offer cryptocurrency access within the next three years. As digital assets become a standard feature in retail finance, access to cryptocurrency in Europe has expanded, although it remains uneven.
While some banks and fintech firms now offer trading or custody services, 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 cryptocurrency service providers.
The aim is to create a more consistent market across the region and reduce risks tied to unregulated activity. Clearer regulation may play a role in this shift, with nearly half of respondents stating that European Union rules increase their trust in digital assets, indicating that further regulatory clarity could help bring more investors into the market.