Danske Bank started providing exchange-traded products (ETPs) for Bitcoin and Ethereum to both individual and institutional customers via its Danske eBanking platform, after a suspension of eight years on cryptocurrency offerings .The bank introduced three ETPs, which feature products from well-known asset management firms, in accordance with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) .
Danske Bank has formally re-entered the digital-asset space by listing three cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs) on its investment platform, citing growing client demand and improved regulatory clarity. The products include offerings from established asset managers such as BlackRock and WisdomTree. Both retail and institutional clients can access them through Danske’s eBanking channels, reflecting the bank’s effort to integrate crypto exposure into a familiar and regulated investment framework.
By offering ETPs rather than direct token custody or trading, Danske is positioning these instruments as a bridge for traditional investors. The structure lowers operational friction by allowing clients to gain exposure to crypto markets through securities they can hold in standard brokerage accounts.
The move represents a notable shift from the bank’s previous stance. Danske had imposed a strict prohibition on crypto services following a major money-laundering scandal linked to its Estonian branch. That case involved approximately €200 billion in suspicious transactions and led to multi-jurisdictional penalties, including a €1.8 billion fine and payments contributing to a broader settlement of roughly $2 billion. The reputational and regulatory fallout forced the bank into a period of heightened caution.
History of the Danske ban and compliance overhaul
After completing a three-year U.S. probation on December 15, 2025, Danske significantly strengthened its anti-money-laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) controls. Executives have described this compliance overhaul as a prerequisite for any return to digital-asset markets. They also point to the implementation of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) as a critical factor, arguing that clearer rules now provide a more predictable operating environment for institutions.
For traders and market makers, the introduction of bank-distributed crypto ETPs could influence liquidity flows, particularly in spot proxies and related derivatives markets. Bank platforms often attract capital from investors who would not otherwise engage directly with crypto exchanges. As a result, secondary-market activity in these products may ripple outward into broader BTC and ETH pricing dynamics.
Corporate treasuries and institutional allocators may find the structure especially appealing. ETPs offer regulated exposure without the need to manage private keys or onboard crypto-native custodians, reducing operational complexity and governance hurdles. For mandates with strict compliance requirements, this format may represent the most practical path to crypto allocation.
Nonetheless, the underlying risks remain unchanged. Cryptocurrency markets continue to exhibit significant volatility, and investors must still consider counterparty, custody, and structural risks embedded within the ETP framework.
