BancaStato adds regulated crypto trading to online banking

A Swiss cantonal bank has begun offering regulated cryptocurrency trading directly within its existing online and mobile banking platforms, marking a significant step in integrating digital assets into traditional financial services. BancaStato, the state bank of the Italian-speaking Canton of Ticino, launched the service on July 23, 2026, enabling clients to buy, hold, and sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Solana without leaving the bank's familiar interface.

The integration was achieved through a partnership with digital asset banking firm Sygnum and core banking software provider Avaloq. By connecting Sygnum's business-to-business application programming interface (API) to Avaloq's core banking system, BancaStato can offer crypto trading and custody services without building a separate, standalone infrastructure. This model is designed to reduce operational complexity and accelerate the timeline for banks to launch digital asset offerings.

Client assets are held in Sygnum's institutional-grade custody setup, which operates off the bank's balance sheet and incorporates hardware security, independent auditing, and regulatory safeguards. BancaStato becomes the first bank...