ING Germany Expands Crypto Access with New Retail‑Focused ETPs and ETNs
Frankfurt, 2 February 2026 – ING Germany, the German retail banking arm of the Dutch ING Group, announced the launch of a suite of exchange‑traded products (ETPs) and exchange‑traded notes (ETNs) that will give its retail clients direct exposure to a range of digital assets. The initiative is built on fresh distribution agreements with U.S. asset managers Bitwise and VanEck and adds to the growing list of crypto‑linked securities already available on the Deutsche Börse Group’s Xetra platform.
What is being offered
Bitwise partnership – crypto ETPs
Starting in February, ING Germany customers can purchase Bitwise‑issued crypto ETPs without paying execution fees on orders of €1,000 (approximately US$1,180) or larger. Smaller orders incur a modest commission of €4.60. The fee waiver also applies to regular savings‑plan contributions, a feature the bank is promoting to encourage systematic investment.
The launch covers the full Bitwise catalogue, but the initial focus will be on three flagship vehicles:
| Product | Underlying Asset | Ticker |
|---|---|---|
| Bitwise Core Bitcoin ETP | Bitcoin (BTC) | BTC1 |
| Bitwise MSCI Digital Assets Select 20 ETP | Basket of 20 digital‑asset stocks | DA20 |
| Bitwise Physical Ethereum ETP | Ether (ETH) | ZETH |
VanEck partnership – crypto ETNs
In parallel, ING Germany will list a line‑up of VanEck‑issued ETNs. Unlike ETPs, ETNs are unsecured debt securities that promise a return linked to the performance of a reference index rather than holding the underlying crypto directly. The VanEck portfolio comprises ten single‑asset notes tracking major coins such as Bitcoin, Ether, Algorand, Avalanche, Chainlink, Polkadot, Polygon and Solana, together with two basket‑type ETNs that provide diversified exposure across several tokens.
Market context
The rollout arrives at a time when the broader crypto market remains volatile. Bitcoin, the benchmark cryptocurrency, is down roughly 10 % year‑to‑date, and global crypto‑linked ETPs have recorded net outflows of more than $4 billion in the first two weeks of 2026, according to data from CoinShares. Nevertheless, the past week saw a modest rebound in Bitcoin ETFs, which attracted $562 million of fresh capital.
Despite the turbulence, traditional‑finance institutions continue to expand their digital‑asset product suites. ING Germany’s new offerings sit alongside existing German‑listed crypto vehicles from 21Shares, WisdomTree and BlackRock’s iShares, underscoring the growing normalization of crypto as an asset class for retail investors.
Analysis
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Retail‑friendly pricing and savings‑plan integration – By waiving execution fees on larger orders and extending the same benefit to systematic savings plans, ING Germany is positioning its crypto products as accessible to a broader base of everyday investors, not just high‑frequency traders.
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Diversified product mix – The combination of ETPs (which hold the underlying assets) and ETNs (which are debt instruments) offers investors a choice between direct exposure and indexed‑linked returns, catering to varying risk appetites and regulatory preferences.
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Strategic partnerships – Aligning with Bitwise and VanEck gives ING Germany credibility and product depth. Both managers have established track records in the U.S. crypto‑ETF space, which may help allay concerns about custody, auditing and liquidity among German regulators and consumers.
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Competitive positioning – The German market already hosts a number of crypto‑linked funds. ING Germany’s entry could intensify competition on pricing, product innovation and distribution, potentially accelerating the maturation of the European crypto‑ETP market.
- Market resilience test – Launching new crypto products while the sector experiences net outflows demonstrates confidence in long‑term demand. If retail uptake remains robust, it could signal that investor interest is shifting from speculative trading toward more structured, custodial‑safe products.
Key Takeaways
- New crypto ETPs and ETNs are now available to ING Germany retail clients, with a fee‑free threshold of €1,000 for Bitwise products and a €4.60 commission on smaller trades.
- Bitwise’s flagship ETPs cover Bitcoin, Ether and a 20‑asset digital‑assets basket, while VanEck’s ETNs span ten individual tokens plus two diversified baskets.
- The offerings are listed on Xetra, joining existing German‑listed crypto vehicles from 21Shares, WisdomTree and BlackRock.
- The move reflects a broader trend of traditional financial institutions expanding crypto product lines despite a down market, aiming to capture growing retail interest in structured digital‑asset exposure.
- Investors gain flexibility: ETPs provide direct asset custody; ETNs deliver index‑linked returns with credit‑risk considerations, allowing clients to tailor exposure to their risk profile.
As the crypto market stabilises, ING Germany’s initiative may serve as a barometer for the appetite of European retail investors for regulated, exchange‑traded digital‑asset solutions.
Reporting by Cointelegraph – Editorial policy: independent, transparent journalism.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/ing-germany-crypto-etp-etn-bitwise-vaneck?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound
