Banks Double on EU Crypto Register, Claiming 23% Share Under MiCA

Banks have rapidly expanded their presence in the European Union's regulated crypto market, doubling their numbers on the official register to about 80 institutions between late June and mid-September 2026. This surge has increased their share of all listed crypto service providers to nearly 23%, according to an analysis of data from the European Securities and Markets Authority. The total number of cryptoasset service providers on the ESMA register grew from 243 on June 26 to 349 by September 16. While nonbank firms still constitute the majority and also grew in absolute terms, their relative share fell from about 84% to 77% as banks entered the market at a faster rate. Germany has been the primary driver of this banking expansion. The register includes both major lenders like Deutsche Bank and a wide network of regional cooperative banks, such as those in the Volksbank and Raiffeisenbank groups. This indicates that regulated crypto services are spreading beyond large international institutions into broader, local banking structures. Deutsche Bank, Germany's largest lender, announced plans to offer crypto custody services to institutional and corporate clients in Europe.