• DZ Bank has launched a platform for managing crypto securities, aiming to streamline capital market processes using blockchain technology.
  • Collaboration with Ripple Custody enables DZ Bank to provide comprehensive wallet management and blockchain analytics, fully compliant with Germany’s eWpG law.

DZ Bank, the second largest bank in Germany, has made a significant leap into the banking sector. As of January 9, 2025, the institution has officially launched a robust platform for managing crypto securities like tokenized bonds. The strategic move is part of a broader effort to streamline capital market processes using blockchain technology.

Customer Spotlight: @DZBANK launched a secure custody solution for tokenized bonds and crypto assets.

With Ripple Custody, they’re simplifying digital asset management and driving efficiency.

Explore this customer case study: https://t.co/IrrQIJNcuj pic.twitter.com/4bBD64pW7c

— Ripple (@Ripple) January 8, 2025

Earlier in 2023, the bank formed a collaboration with Ripple Custody , aiming to create a secure and efficient digital asset infrastructure. The resulting platform now provides comprehensive wallet management and blockchain analytics, fully compliant with Germany’s eWpG law, which governs electronic securities. 

Holger Meffert, head of securities services and digital custody at DZ Bank, shared his enthusiasm, stating:

DZ BANK is quite happy and we are very proud that we were one of the first banks in Germany which really built and made their digital custody platform going live. We can serve our clients, dealing with settlement and custody of digital assets, focusing on crypto securities according to the German securities law.

DZ BANK Takes the Lead in Custody Race

As Germany’s largest depository bank, DZ BANK manages a staggering €350 billion in assets under custody as of August 2024. This new digital custody platform positions the bank at the forefront of institutional crypto adoption . The platform’s design is underpinned by robust blockchain technology, ensuring secure transactions and smooth wallet management.

The move aligns with DZ BANK’s broader goal: to create a solution that seamlessly integrates with existing capital market processes while improving clients’ performance. This focus on innovation highlights the bank’s commitment to staying competitive in a rapidly changing financial landscape.

Ripple Custody has played a crucial role in making this possible, providing the software backbone that enables DZ BANK to offer an enhanced digital custody experience. The collaboration underscores Ripple’s growing influence in institutional blockchain adoption.

Multiple Leading European Banks Enter the Crypto Fray

DZ BANK’s push into crypto is part of a broader trend among European financial giants. In September 2024, Commerzbank made headlines by announcing a deal with Crypto Finance to offer bitcoin and ether trading to corporate clients. The partnership, formed with Crypto Finance—a subsidiary of Germany’s top stock exchange operator—marked a significant step toward mainstream adoption.

Around the same time, Switzerland’s Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), the country’s fourth-largest bank, launched crypto services for retail clients . ZKB’s offerings included Bitcoin and Ethereum , signaling an increasing appetite for digital assets in the region.

DZ BANK’s new platform doesn’t just aim to ride the wave of blockchain adoption—it seeks to lead it. By focusing on the custody, settlement, and management of digital assets, the bank is creating opportunities for asset managers to explore new markets. The platform’s technology ensures efficiency and security, which are must-haves for institutional clients.