The majority of banks in the German cooperative sector have expressed strong interest in offering their customers the ability to trade cryptocurrencies. It’s high time for DZ Bank to enable the widespread implementation of this service. Some cooperative banks are planning to launch an offering as early as summer.

Compared to their direct competitors in the savings banks sector, the cooperatives are relatively early adopters. However, given the significant customer interest, one might ask whether they have already wasted valuable time – time that trading apps like Bitpanda or online brokers have actively used to their advantage.

Despite some initial efforts, it may take until late 2025 or even 2026 before cryptocurrency trading is widely available from most cooperative banks. This delay is due to the regulatory and technical challenges that must be weighed against other priorities. Smaller banks, in particular, might initially wait to see how well the service is received in practice before committing their often limited resources to its implementation.

Although the cooperatives continue to categorically reject cryptocurrency investment advisory services, there still exists a reputational risk. But this risk is likely to diminish as the acceptance of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies grows. „First movers“, such as VR-Bank Bayern Mitte, which already offers Bitcoin trading, have been received very positively by the public. Excessive caution in providing crypto trading could ultimately harm banks themselves, as this asset class has long gained traction beyond just high-risk investors. While cryptocurrencies remain speculative, they are increasingly being used to diversify investment portfolios.

However credit institutions will also have to consider the environmental impact of their products. Just as the carbon footprint of loan portfolios is scrutinised, the energy consumption of cryptocurrencies – Bitcoin in particular – cannot be ignored. How this impacts banks' sustainability ratings remains to be seen.