Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 11, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleOpenbank, Santander's digital lender, launches a crypto trading service in Spain, allowing clients to trade various cryptocurrencies under the EU framework.
MADRID (Reuters) -Openbank, Santander's digital lender, said on Tuesday it had launched a cryptocurrency trading service in Spain, following rival BBVA.
Banks are seeing growing demand from customers for crypto products after bitcoin hit record highs last month, helped by U.S. President Donald Trump's pro-crypto stance.
In June, BBVA advised wealthy clients to invest up to 7% of their portfolio in cryptocurrencies, warming to a sector once avoided by mainstream finance because of its risks.
Openbank's service operates under the EU's Markets in Crypto-assets framework, and will allow clients to buy, sell, and hold bitcoin, ether, Litecoin, Polygon, and Cardano directly on its app and website.
Openbank said it planned to expand the list of supported tokens and add crypto-to-crypto conversions in the coming months, with a 1.49% fee per transaction or a minimum 1 euro, with no custody fees.
The rollout follows a recent launch in Germany.
In 2023, Santander's private bank rolled out a service, allowing its clients to invest in and trade bitcoin and ether.
Standard Chartered in July introduced spot trading for bitcoin and ether through its UK branch for institutional clients.
(Reporting by Jesús Aguado. Editing Emma Pinedo and Mark Potter)
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security. It operates on a technology called blockchain, which is a decentralized ledger that records all transactions across a network.
Digital banking refers to the use of digital platforms to offer banking services. This includes online banking, mobile banking apps, and digital payment solutions, allowing customers to manage their finances remotely.
A crypto wallet is a digital tool that allows users to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies. It can be software-based or hardware-based, providing varying levels of security and accessibility.
A trading platform is software that allows investors to buy and sell financial securities like stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. It provides tools for market analysis and trade execution.
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