A growing share of European investors may switch banks to access better crypto services, signaling a shift in how digital assets are shaping retail finance in the region, according to a new study from Boerse Stuttgart Digital.
The survey, conducted by market research firm Marketagent between August 2025 and January 2026, collected responses from 6,000 people in Germany, Italy, Spain and France. It found that 35% of respondents would consider switching banks if another institution offered stronger crypto investment options.
This figure rises to 40% in Spain, the highest among the countries studied, followed by Italy with 35%, France with 33% and Germany with 29%.
At the same time, cryptocurrency ownership continues to grow. Around 25% of respondents said they had already invested in digital assets, with Spain again leading the way with almost 28%. Germany follows with 25%, while Italy and France are slightly behind.
Despite crypto’s origins outside of traditional finance, the study suggests that banks remain central to its next phase. Investors were more than twice as likely to trust their primary bank for crypto services than specialist platforms.
This confidence advantage comes as many investors still struggle to understand the asset class. More than 60% say they feel uninformed about crypto, while 69% describe it as too complex.
Concerns about regulation also persist, with 76% of respondents viewing crypto as insufficiently regulated and therefore risky.
The results point to a potential opening for banks. Nearly one in five respondents expect their bank to offer crypto access in the next three years, suggesting that digital assets are moving from a niche offering to a standard feature in retail finance.
Access to cryptocurrencies in Europe has expanded in recent years, although it remains uneven. While some banks and fintech companies now offer trading or custody services, many large institutions have taken a cautious approach, often limiting their exposure to certain products or pilot programs. As a result, investors often rely on a combination of traditional banks and specialized platforms to manage their assets.
Regulation is beginning to shape this landscape. The European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework, which is gradually being rolled out across all member states, sets common rules for crypto service providers, including licensing, consumer protection and operational standards. The aim is to create a more coherent market in the region and reduce the risks associated with unregulated activity.
Clearer regulation could play a role in this change. Nearly half of respondents said that European Union rules, such as MiCA, increase their confidence in digital assets, indicating that clearer regulation could help attract more investors to the market.
