A growing share of European investors may switch banks to access better crypto services, according to a new study from Boerse Stuttgart Digital, signaling a shift in how digital assets are shaping retail finance across the region.
The survey, conducted by market research firm Marketagent between August 2025 and January 2026, gathered 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.
That figure rises to 40% in Spain, the highest among the countries surveyed, followed by Italy at 35%, France at 33% and Germany at 29%.
At the same time, crypto ownership continues to expand. Around 25% of respondents said they have already invested in digital assets, with Spain again leading the way at almost 28%. Germany followed with 25%, while Italy and France were 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 specialized platforms.
This confidence advantage comes as many investors are still struggling to understand the asset class. More than 60% said they feel poorly informed about crypto, while 69% described it as too complex.
Concerns about regulation also remain, with 76% seeing crypto as insufficiently regulated and therefore risky.
The results point to a potential opening for banks. Almost one in five respondents expect their bank to offer crypto access within the next three years, suggesting that digital assets are moving from a niche offering to a standard feature in retail finance.
Access to crypto 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 exposure to select products or pilot programs. As a result, investors often rely on a mix of traditional banks and specialized platforms to manage their holdings.
Regulation is beginning to shape that landscape. The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), which is being phased in across member states, sets common rules for crypto service providers, including licensing, consumer protection and operational standards. The aim is to create a more consistent market across the region and reduce risks associated with unregulated activity.
Clearer regulation may play a role in that shift. Almost half of respondents said that EU rules, such as MiCA, increase their confidence in digital assets, indicating that further regulatory clarity could help bring more investors into the market.
