Banks Flood EU's Regulated Crypto Market, Doubling Presence in Three Months

Banks are rapidly expanding their presence in Europe's regulated crypto market, as seen in ESMA's MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) provider register. Between June 26 and September 16, 2026, the number of banks listed on the register doubled to around 80 from roughly 40.

Over the same period, the total count of crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) increased from 243 to 349, but banks gained share as non-bank providers' relative presence fell. The proportion of banks among listed providers rose from about 17% in late June to nearly 23% by September.

Germany is a key driver behind the surge, with both large lenders and regional cooperative banks adding MiCA-covered capabilities. Deutsche Bank, Germany's largest lender, announced plans to launch digital asset custody services for institutional and corporate clients in Europe, aiming to obtain regulatory approval under MiCA in October.

The MiCA framework allows credit institutions to provide certain crypto-asset services after submitting required information to their home regulator at least 40 working days before offering those services. This notification mechanism helps explain why banks can quickly enter the market and expand their presence on the register.