ING Germany Opens Crypto ETN Trading to Retail Investors

• ING allows Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana exposure via ETNs without wallets or private keys.
• Around 50 crypto ETNs now trade directly through ING securities accounts.
• Products are exchange-traded, physically backed, and issued by established crypto ETP providers.

One of Germany’s largest retail brokers, ING Deutschland, also known as ING-DiBa, has now expanded crypto investment access for its German customers, allowing them to invest in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and crypto index products directly through their regular brokerage accounts.

Crypto Investing Without Wallets or Private Keys

Under the new setup, ING clients can gain exposure to cryptocurrencies through exchange-traded notes (ETNs) and exchange-traded products (ETPs) without using digital wallets or managing private keys. The products are traded on regulated stock exchanges and handled like traditional securities, offering a familiar structure for retail investors.

This means customers can buy and sell crypto-linked products using the same securities account they already use for stocks or ETFs.

Around 50 Crypto ETNs Now Available

ING has opened access to around 50 crypto ETNs, covering up to 28 different crypto assets and strategies. These include single-asset products linked to Bitcoin and Ethereum, staking-enabled Solana products, and diversified crypto basket index ETNs.

The offerings come from established issuers such as 21Shares, Bitwise, iShares, VanEck, and WisdomTree.

Discounted Trading and Savings Plans

ING is also running a promotional offer that reduces trading costs for these crypto ETNs. For direct trades of €1,000 or more, customers pay zero euro order fees (excluding product costs and spreads). Trades below €1,000 carry a €3.90 order fee.

Crypto ETNs can also be added to savings plans, starting from just €1, with no execution fees. This allows investors to build long-term crypto exposure gradually rather than making one-time purchases.

Physically Backed and Exchange-Traded

The crypto ETNs available through ING are physically backed and traded on regulated exchanges such as Xetra. This structure is designed to reduce operational risks compared to unregulated crypto platforms, while still tracking the price performance of the underlying digital assets.

Tax Treatment Similar to Direct Crypto

According to ING, many of these crypto ETNs follow tax rules similar to direct cryptocurrency investments in Germany. In some cases, capital gains may be tax-free if the holding period exceeds one year, though tax outcomes depend on individual circumstances and regulations.

ING’s move comes after a broader trend across Europe, where large banks are offering regulated crypto exposure rather than direct token trading. By using exchange-traded products, banks can meet growing retail demand for crypto while staying within existing financial and regulatory frameworks.

Related: Nomura Reduces Crypto Risk Exposure After Q3 Losses at Laser Digital