35% of European Crypto Users Could Switch Banks Over Access

European investors are starting to weigh digital-asset access when choosing where to bank, according to a new Börse Stuttgart Digital survey. Released Tuesday, the study found that 35% of respondents could change banks if another provider offered better crypto investment options.

The survey covered about 6,000 investors in Germany, Italy, Spain, and France. It showed that crypto access is moving closer to mainstream banking expectations. Per the report, nearly one in five respondents said they expect their main bank to offer such access within the next three years.

Banking Competition Expands Into Crypto Access

According to the survey, demand was strongest in Germany, where 22% expected bank-based crypto access. Spain followed at 19%, Italy at 18%, and France at 16%. The data suggested that access is becoming a meaningful factor in how some investors evaluate financial providers.

Potential switching behavior was also broad across the region. Spain led at 40%, followed by Italy at 35%, France at 33%, and Germany at 29%. Across Europe, that made digital-asset services a visible point of competition for banks seeking to attract and keep investors.

Ownership data showed that adoption already has a measurable base. Spain posted the highest rate, with nearly 28% already holding crypto assets. Germany followed at 25%, while Italy and France stood at 24% and 23%, respectively.

Similarly, interest extended beyond current holders. Spain also led general investment interest at above 40%, followed by France at 36%, Germany at 35%, and Italy at 34%. Overall, 25% said they had already invested, while 36% said they were likely to invest again within five years.

Regulatory Doubts and Knowledge Gaps Still Slow Adoption

However, the rising interest was matched by persistent concern over rules and understanding. About 76% of respondents viewed the market as insufficiently regulated. More than 60% also said they felt poorly informed about digital assets. That knowledge gap appeared across all four countries.

In Germany, 65% still found the asset class too complicated. The figure rose to 73% in Spain and France and 70% in Italy. Better knowledge appeared closely linked to stronger participation. When asked whether they would invest more with a better understanding, 54% in Spain agreed.

France followed at 49%, while Italy and Germany both came in at 44%. The results showed that education remains a practical barrier, even as access becomes easier. The survey also pointed to regulated offerings as an important condition for broader investor confidence.

Trust Keeps Banks at the Center of the Market

Trust data placed traditional banks in a strong position. European investors were more than twice as likely to trust their main bank as specialized platforms. That preference was strongest in France at 46%, followed by Spain at 40%, Germany at 38%, and Italy at 37%.

European Union rules also appeared to improve confidence. Nearly half of the respondents said the MiCA framework increased their trust in cryptocurrency, making them feel safer and more attracted. The regulation went fully into effect for service providers on Dec. 30, 2024.

Börse Stuttgart Digital said its custody subsidiary became the first German provider with an EU-wide MiCA license in January 2025. In a separate measure of regional scale, Chainalysis reported that Russia received $376 billion between July 2024 and June 2025. The United Kingdom followed with $273 billion, while Germany reached $219 billion.

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