Crypto entry offers banks new opportunities

The introduction of the European Mica Ordinance (Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation) as a crypto equivalent of established securities regulation triggered a rethink in the banking world. What has previously been considered a speculative niche area is increasingly gaining relevance for established financial institutions. Banks' crypto demand is continuously increasing.

At the same time, the regulation signals that digital assets should in future be an integral part of the European financial market. For banks, this means that it becomes increasingly strategically significant, with the topicCryptocurrencies to deal. Mica ensures legal clarity among the providers, expanded investor protection, and creates the largest uniformly regulated market for crypto services in the world in the EU.

The entry into the crypto business is more worthwhile than ever. Our advice to banks: Start with a simple, clearly structured offer to gain the first market shares.

Eric Viohl, Managing Director of Crypto Finance Germany

Banks are already observing a significant emigration of customers who want to trade digital assets and are therefore switching to crypto-savvy financial service providers. In order to keep or regain this demand, banks have to build up their own offer – and that as quickly as possible.

However, a complete self -establishment of the necessary infrastructure, such as a trading platform or safe custody, often takes years. Anyone who chooses this path risks to miss the market entry.

In contrast, the mica approval can be obtained in a comparatively short time: the Mica itself sees a maximum processing time of completeness control and the decision of 20 working days before and for credit institutions there is a simplified approval procedure. The big challenge for most institutes is therefore less approval by the supervision. Rather, there are no suitable technology and processes, infrastructure and connection – or a partner who can provide all of this on demand.

Here sets Crypto Finance, as part of the German Börse Groupan. There you specialize in cooperation with banks, asset managers and other institutional investors. They provide them with a complete infrastructure and support them on the part of the technology, trade, custody and licensing. The model is comparatively simple: the bank applies for a micaPermit And use the proven infrastructure of Crypto Finance. This covers all relevant areas.

Mica creates clarity, but these hurdles remain

It is often not clear to the institutes which of the licenses are required for the respective business model. Without clear orientation, many banks shy away from the first step. Here, too, an experienced partner can create valuable transparency and minimize the effort.

Also stand Security aspects In the center – risk management is a priority for banks. The custody of digital assets must be carried out insolvency -proof, which is ensured in Germany by the Finance Market Digitalization Act (FinMadig). Mica provides for a clear separation of the assets of customers from their own stocks. Also in the area of ​​money laundering prevention (AML) and compliance apply high standards. Crypto service providers have to be able to comply with sanction regimes and operate money laundering prevention.

In addition, banks want the Highness about their customer data Keep, especially if potential partners also appear as competitors. Service providers who offer flexible models and client ability are required here.

Im operational area If the Crypto trade Basically from the traditional financial market. Central clearing points and counterparties are missing. Many banks do not have the necessary know-how in this new asset class. Therefore, Crypto Finance is working to close this gap. The company harmonizes handling processes and provides complete communication via Swift connection, also in cooperation with Clearstream.

Clearstream is a central securities attendant (CSD) and also part of the Germans Stock exchange. The company takes on central tasks in the follow -up of financial transactions, including the custody of shares, bonds and fund shares as well as the secure handling of securities transactions. The company recently expanded its custody services with crypto values ​​and offers institutional investors a safe and seamless solution. Through The integration of Crypto Finance as a substrate Can Clearstream use its market-leading expertise and also offer regulated custody and handling services for digital assets.

Last but not least, the requirements for IT Governance, including cyber security and outsourcing management with Dora, have increased significantly from January 2025. Banks are looking for partners who speak their language and understand their processes and regulatory requirements. Crypto Finance produces this bridge between classic finance and new digital wealth world, for example by seamless integration of your own processes into the Dora framework.

From the idea to offer – step by step to success

What can be observed: banks that successfully start the crypto market are gradually proceeding. They develop modular products, test the market and adapt their offer to customer needs.

Many banks that have launched a crypto offer will be surprised afterwards how many former customers were recovered.

Eric Viohl, Managing Director of Crypto Finance Germany

It often shows that acceptance is significantly higher than expected. Crypto offers encounter great interest-especially, but not only, with a younger, digital affine customers.

It is therefore not a risk for banks, but a strategic opportunity to position yourself in the crypto market. Although many regulated institutes are still in the starting blocks or even on the edge of the field, it should not stay long.

With an experienced partner like Crypto Finance on the side, banks can master regulatory, technical and operational hurdles. They create At the same time, a safe, fully regulated offer for your customers.

Especially in the institutional segment, it is essential to speak the language of the traditional financial world in order to be able to communicate with customers at eye level.

About Eric Viohl, Managing Director of Crypto Finance Germany

Eric Viohl is an experienced expert in the traditional financial sector and accompanied and promoted the topic of crypto values ​​in the German stock exchange early on. Over a decade, he was able to perceive various positions within the German Börse Group and thus get to know the processes in retail and processing.

He currently works as the managing director of Crypto Finance (Germany) GmbH – a company of the German Börse Group. In this role, he focuses on building the Mica hub for Crypto Finance, obtaining BaFin licenses and pioneering initiatives for the integration of traditional financial markets with digital assets. He is passionate about shaping the interface between established financial systems and digital innovation and thus enabling seamless integration and new growth opportunities.

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