In today’s crypto update, traditional banks across Europe are gradually entering the digital asset sector as regulatory clarity improves. In the latest development, Italy’s Banca Sella is preparing to launch crypto-related services, becoming the first Italian bank to do so.
Bank Targets 2026 Bitcoin Service Rollout
Banca Sella confirmed in a press release that it has completed the notification process with the Bank of Italy under the European MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) Regulation. The milestone makes Banca Sella the first bank in Italy authorized to offer crypto-asset services, particularly relating to the custody and transfer of digital assets.
JUST IN: 🇮🇹 Banca Sella to become first Italian bank to offer crypto services.
— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) May 27, 2026
According to the bank, crypto custody and transfer services for selected clients should launch before the end of 2026. The initial rollout will focus on secure digital asset storage infrastructure and regulated transfer solutions. The move represents a major milestone for Italy’s banking sector, where traditional lenders have largely remained cautious toward crypto adoption.
It also reflects growing interest among European financial institutions in integrating blockchain-based services into mainstream banking operations. Commenting on the development, Andrea Tessera, managing director of Digital Banking at Banca Sella, stated that the new service aims to provide innovative solutions that effectively meet evolving client demands, with increasingly secure and efficient financial products.
Banca Sella Expands Blockchain Presence
Banca Sella’s latest crypto initiative follows several years of involvement in blockchain and fintech innovation. Since 2022, the bank has participated in the Fintech Milano Hub pilot program coordinated by the Bank of Italy.
The initiative aims to support experimentation involving digital finance, tokenization, and emerging payment technologies. The bank’s participation positioned it among the early traditional financial institutions in Italy exploring blockchain infrastructure.
Banca Sella is also a founding member of Qivalis, a consortium of 37 European banks working to develop a euro-pegged stablecoin. The project aims to improve settlement efficiency and cross-border payments using blockchain technology while maintaining regulatory compliance across Europe’s financial system.
European Banks Accelerate Crypto Adoption
A major factor driving crypto adoption among European banks is the implementation of the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA), which entered into force in June 2023.
Before MiCA, banks looking to offer digital asset services had to navigate a complex mix of national regulations across Europe, with each jurisdiction enforcing different licensing requirements, custody standards, and consumer protection rules. As a result, the cost of developing a standalone crypto offering was often difficult to justify, particularly for banks already generating strong revenue from traditional brokerage operations.
Since MiCA’s introduction, financial institutions have increasingly explored services including crypto custody, tokenized payments, and stablecoin integration. Analysts believe the framework is helping banks gain confidence in expanding into blockchain-based finance while creating a more unified regulatory structure across the European market.
Banca Sella may be the first Italian bank authorized to offer crypto-related services, but it is unlikely to remain the only one. Across Europe, several major banks have already expanded into the digital asset sector. KBC currently offers direct retail trading for Bitcoin and Ether through its self-directed brokerage platform, Bolero, while BBVA provides live crypto trading and custody services for retail clients in select European markets.
Meanwhile, DZ Bank offers crypto trading through its meinKrypto platform, targeting retail and cooperative banking customers. In France, Société Générale has focused on institutional digital asset infrastructure and tokenized products through its Forge subsidiary. As regulatory clarity improves under MiCA, more European banks are expected to gradually enter the crypto industry in the coming years.
Josiah Oluwadare
