Highlights:
- Bitpanda partners with Deutsche Bank to offer real-time payment services for its European users.
- Deutsche Bank provides local IBANs for Bitpanda users in Germany, ensuring secure deposits and withdrawals.
- The partnership signifies growing integration between traditional finance and the cryptocurrency industry.
Bitpanda, the Austrian crypto broker, has announced a partnership with Deutsche Bank to provide real-time payment services. This collaboration marks a significant step in integrating cryptocurrency with traditional finance, enhancing services for European users.
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Major milestone alert! Bitpanda is expanding its partnership with @DeutscheBank. Together we’re delivering real-time payment services and local IBAN numbers for our users in Germany. This is a game changer for the industry!
Find out more in our Blog: https://t.co/XvMWDHPIHr… pic.twitter.com/joEwdTzDs8
— Bitpanda (@Bitpanda_global) June 4, 2024
Founded in 2014 in Vienna, Bitpanda is a “trade everything platform” that offers access to digital assets, stocks, metals, commodities, and crypto indices. The company holds a PSD2 payment service provider license and an E-Money license, reinforcing its position in the financial sector.
Deutsche Bank Partnership
On June 4, Bitpanda announced it would be the first crypto platform to partner with a major international bank to deliver real-time payment services. Deutsche Bank, Germany’s largest bank, will support Bitpanda clients in transferring fiat in and out of their portfolios. German Bitpanda users will receive local IBAN numbers for deposits, enabling secure and efficient money transfers.
Bitpanda stated,
We are on a mission to remove as many barriers as possible for people who want to take control of their finances. That means we need to offer a truly local service. Working with Deutsche Bank, we can offer that localization for deposit and withdrawals
Deutsche Bank emphasized its cautious approach to digital assets, highlighting Bitpanda as its first European crypto client. A Deutsche spokesperson revealed that the bank has a similar partnership with Hong Kong-based crypto exchange Hashkey, one of the city’s few licensed crypto trading platforms.
Operational Details and Industry Context
The partnership will see Deutsche Bank processing customer deposits and withdrawals for Bitpanda, addressing the challenge of finding reliable banking partners in the crypto industry. This issue became prominent following the 2023 collapse of Silvergate Capital Corp, Signature Bank, and Silicon Valley Bank, all with high concentrations of crypto-related clients.
Bitpanda, with over 4 million users, offers products including fractional stocks, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals. Regulators have expressed concerns about the potential impact of crypto market upheaval on mainstream finance. However, analysts note that the connectivity between these sectors still needs to be improved. Ole Matthiessen, Deutsche Bank’s global head of cash management, stressed the bank’s cautious approach to digital assets.
Despite these concerns, Deutsche Bank’s collaboration with Bitpanda signifies increasing crypto integration with mainstream finance. The bank will provide Bitpanda users in Germany with local bank account numbers, ensuring seamless fiat currency transactions. This is particularly beneficial because some banks restrict fund transfers to crypto exchanges.
Commitment to Compliance and Selective Partnerships
Kilian Thalhammer, Deutsche Bank’s global head of merchant solutions, stated the bank aims to be “the bank of choice for the high-potential platforms” in virtual asset investing. A Deutsche spokesperson mentioned that while the bank partners with Hong Kong-based Hashkey, Bitpanda is its first client in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Bitpanda is already Deutsche’s corporate client in Austria and Spain. However, these engagements are not customer-facing. Matthiessen highlighted that Deutsche only works with partners and clients who demonstrate strong compliance processes, operate in regulated environments, and meet high-risk management standards.
Through this partnership, Deutsche Bank will not facilitate cryptocurrency transfer. Instead, it will support clients in transferring fiat in and out of their portfolios, reinforcing Bitpanda’s treasury and payment processes. This collaboration underscores Deutsche’s focus on compliance and risk management while expanding its presence in the digital asset space.
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