When you go around your local city or town looking for a crypto-friendly bank, don’t be surprised if you don’t find any. This is because, when it comes to cryptocurrency, most banks choose to steer clear.
They often ban or avoid cryptocurrency use because of their perceived threat to fiat currency and bank operations. You can see the difference between crypto and fiat currencies here.
Additionally, banks believe that the risk of fraud and money laundering increases where crypto is involved; hence they tend to avoid it as much as they can.
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Even though banks have concerns when it comes to cryptocurrency, there are some that have opened their doors to clients who use this revolutionary digital currency.
One of the main reasons why bitcoin-friendly banks have emerged is because more and more merchants have added cryptocurrency as a major payment option; thus, the demand for the currency has increased significantly.
Many banks across the US, Canada, and Europe have integrated with crypto payment processing services that help them handle various settlements between organizations and their clients.
What is a Crypto-friendly Bank?
Before we look at some of the best crypto-friendly banks, it is crucial to understand what a crypt-friendly bank is. Just like businesses, cryptos need banks to grow. If there was no access to the fiat economy, for instance, it would have been virtually impossible for Bitcoin to gain the value it possesses today.
Crypto-friendly banks are basically forward-looking financial entities that understand the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
They provide customers to gain access to lower transaction fees for moving back and forth between cryptos and traditional fiat currencies.
These banks integrate cryptocurrencies and traditional bank operations within the same operations. However, before you get started, make sure you understand completely how cryptocurrency gains value.
Best Crypto-friendly Banks in Europe
Finding the best crypto-friendly banks in Europe is not easy. However, we have outlined some of the best institutions below. Read on!
1. Bankera (Lithuania)
Based in Lithuania, Bankera is, without a doubt, one of the few European banks that focuses on offering a bridging point for the conventional banking structure and cryptocurrency. They achieve this through integration with SpectroCoin, which offers brokerage solutions to their clients.
This bank provides a reliable and highly effective exchange service for their clients, which can be used to exchange both cryptos and tokens. With a blend of its traditional banking services and adoption of blockchain technology, Bankera provides a wonderful platform for its clientele to manage their crypto assets.
Bankera also provides other amazing products for its clients, including crypto loans and a wide array of investment tools.
2. Wirex (the UK and the European Region)
Wirex is based in London but has branches across the European region. Over the past few years, it has proven to be one of the best places where crypto enthusiasts can open a crypto-friendly bank account. Through Wirex, customers can send digital as well as traditional currencies easily across the globe.
This bank also provides a cryptocurrency wallet that allows users to conveniently buy and sell different cryptos.
Wirex customers get a functional debit card which they can use to access a plethora of special features. For instance, whenever one makes a purchase in-store, their account is awarded a 0.5% cashback, which is given in the form of BTC.
Through Wirex, customers are not only able to buy and sell cryptocurrency, but they can also manage their crypto portfolio. The bank also provides an instant trading platform where customers can exchange their cryptocurrencies for fiat currency with live exchange rates and vice versa.
3. SEBA (Switzerland)
Established in 2019, SEBA has grown to become one of the best crypto-friendly banks not only in Europe but in the globe. This innovative bank aims at providing its clients with seamless integration between traditional currencies and digital assets.
This bank offers its services to professional investors, family offices, as well as asset managers. Additionally, SEBA bank provides secure custody of digital assets to Swiss blockchain companies.
Other services provided by SEBA Bank include liquidity management, trading, digital asset loans, and cutting-edge tokenization solutions. If you are looking for a bank in Switzerland that will allow you to easily and safely exchange fiat currency with BTC, Ethereum, and a wide range o other cryptocurrencies, SEBA could be a great option.
4. Solarisbank (Germany)
We cannot talk about the best banks to open a crypto-friendly bank account and fail to mention Solarisbank. This German-based company is renowned for providing industry giants such as Samsung with an array of APIs for digital banking is now providing unmatched fiat-to-crypto trading and instant settlement in its trading solution.
This has been made possible by its partnership with Luxembourg-based exchange – Bitstamp. According to this bank, enabling instantaneous swapping of crypto and fiat is a good way to prevent fraud and ensure crypto enthusiasts have a seamless trading experience.
5. Dukascopy (Switzerland)
Created in 1998, Dukascopy is now a regulated and licensed crypto-friendly bank based in Switzerland. It offers its clients leveraged CFD trading on price movements of cryptos, value estimations, or derivatives.
Through its ultra-modern CFD trading platform, Dukascopy allows customers to perform speculative operations without the need for a digital wallet. Through this bank, those interested in digital currency can trade on both rising and falling markets, cover their losses through short selling, and trade safely.
6. Bank Frick (Liechtenstein)
Bank Frick is a modern wealth management institution that offers a plethora o advisory solutions. Additionally, this bank develops and manages a range of investments.
Apart from creating current accounts and trading accounts like other banks, Bank Frick allows their clients to open crypto trading accounts and custody accounts that allow them to trade and securely store their digital assets.
What makes Bank Frick unique is the fact that it offers a myriad of tradable cryptocurrencies that include:
- USD Coin
- Qtum
- Stellar
- Litecoin
- Ether
- NEM
- Bitcoin Cash
- Bitcoin
Those who do not own cryptocurrencies but would like to add some to their portfolio can buy them through Bank Frick. Crypto purchases are made in USD, Swiss Francs, and Euros.
7. Agribank (Malta)
Founded in 2012, Agribank is a commercial bank headquartered in Luqa, Malta. This bank is renowned for providing hire purchase and finance lease agreements to clients within the UK’s agricultural sector while operating solely online.
Just like other traditional banks, Agribank obtains its funding through bonds, equity, wholesale funding, and retail deposits. What makes it different is that it has one extra feature in its interface – crypto banking.
Through Agribank, customers can use some traditional cards to buy cryptocurrency. Some of these cards include Maestro, MasterCard, Visa, and more.
8. Mistertango (Lithuania)
Mistertango is a platform that offers businesses and crypto users access to traditional finances as well as cryptocurrencies. Its extensive solutions are open for investors and others involved in the cryptocurrency industry.
This crypto-friendly processor provides both business and personal accounts and comes with the option to create several IBANs.
This bank promises its clients a swift and simple onboarding process. Users can access and manage their online payments across multiple devices. Its platform has real-time notifications, which ensure clients stay informed about all their transactions, as well as crypto and fiat balances.
It’s worth noting that creating a Mistertango account is free. However, to send and receive transfers from exchanges, you must upgrade to a premium plan. Businesses pay $99.99/month while individuals pay $4.99/month for this plan.
9. Simplex (Lithuania)
Despite being a traditional bank, Simplex is a one-of-a-kind institution based in Lithuania that provides a cutting-edge combination of a payment gateway solution and a cryptocurrency brokerage platform for renowned crypto exchanges.
This bank provides users with a stress-free way of buying their desired cryptos at reasonable prices. When buying crypto, you can use your credit card, and payments are processed fast and securely.
Due to the way the simplex platform works, it provides instant payment processing in many cases. This bank states that some payments may take 48-72 hours to process.
However, this only happens when there is some stalling happening due to verification checks. While the list of cryptos used by Simplex is pretty extensive, some of the accepted ones include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and more.
10. Majestic (Lithuania)
Majestic is a crypto-friendly bank that allows customers to perform instant cross-border payments. It allows individuals and businesses with bank accounts to deal with cryptocurrencies. Additionally, its platform has built-in functionalities that help clients buy BTC and other cryptocurrencies.
With Majestic, you can quickly send a wide range of traditional and digital currencies around the world. It is, without a doubt, one of the bitcoin-friendly banks that give unhampered access to the world of borderless payments.
11. Barclays (UK)
Barclays is one of the largest investment banks in the world, with a strong presence in many crypto-friendly countries. Apart from providing cutting-edge traditional banking solutions, this bank also uses blockchain technology to aid transactions between customers and is renowned for its support for cryptos.
Barclays has partnered with Coinbase to provide clients with easy access to a wide range of crypto assets.
Best Crypto-friendly Banks in the USA
12. Simple Bank
Simple Bank began as a modern Fintech startup. Today, it has become one of the best FDIC-backed/insured banks for US citizens.
Based in Oregon, this bank has worked with many cryptocurrency exchanges, and this makes it arguably one of the top US crypto-friendly banks.
Simple Bank allows customers to make direct buy-sell transactions. In a bid to come up with a global cryptocurrency network, this bank supports popular cryptos, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and more.
What makes Simple Bank unique is the fact that it doesn’t have a transaction limit on the number of crypto transactions. Its unique platform features InstantSend Technology that processes transactions faster by automating the entire process.
13. Ally Bank
Ally Bank is specially made for US customers who are interested in a blend of traditional banking and cryptocurrencies. This bank is fully regulated by the laws of the United States and serves the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, such as Coinbase.
This bank is a fully digital platform that doesn’t have physical branches. The reason why it stands out is that it provides 24-hour online support, making it one of the go-to places for crypto enthusiasts. It’s worth noting that only US residents can access Ally Bank services at the moment.
14. USAA
Based in Texas, USAA is a renowned financial service company for the US military. It is a Fortune 500 company that caters to active, honorably separated, retired, and enlisted personal of the United States military. This bank also allows civilians to open bank accounts with them. Over the past few years, USAA has invested over 150 million in Coinbase, and this makes it easy for its customers to interact with this world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
With a USAA account, customers can track their bitcoin wallets on Coinbase. They can also monitor all their transactions, check balances, and connect their bank accounts with Coinbase. This bank is continuously improving its banking structure to make it one of the best US crypto-friendly banks.
15. Goldman Sachs
Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs is one of the oldest multinational investment banking services, with its headquarters in New York. This bank doesn’t provide checking account services, but it provides savings, investments, and lending solutions.
Despite being more than a century-old institution, Goldman Sachs is one of the crypto-friendliest banks on the market. This gives it an edge over its competition. When large banks backed down, Goldman Sachs didn’t and has today grown to become one of the most popular institutions for crypto traders and investors.
Best Crypto-friendly Banks in Canada
16. The National Bank of Canada
The National Bank of Canada is the sixth-largest bank in Canada, headquartered in Montreal. It boasts over 2.4 million customers and has multiple subsidiaries across the country.
Despite being one of the largest financial institutions, the National Bank of Canada is one of the few banks that has maintained a robust relationship with crypto businesses.
This bank allows Canadian citizens to easily and securely buy and sell Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Since this bank is heavily regulated, it scrutinizes all cryptocurrency transactions thoroughly.
Therefore, when you choose to use this bank for your cryptocurrency needs, you must follow a set of rules and regulations and make sure you do all kinds of transactions with care.
17. The Royal Bank of Canada
Founded in 1864, The Royal Bank of Canada is the largest bank in Canada and the twelfth largest in the world by market cap. It serves over 16 million people in 80 countries around the globe. For a long time, this bank was not crypto-friendly.
Nonetheless, in 2020, the bank announced plans to launch a trading platform or investments in multiple cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more.
There are also plans to allow customers to open bank accounts that contain cryptocurrencies.
Do Banks Accept Bitcoin?
If you have read this article up to this point, you might be asking yourself, “do banks accept Bitcoin?” well, all the banks outlined above are Bitcoin-friendly banks.
Being the major cryptocurrency on the market and based on its place as the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, there is no way they can avoid it.
Banks that do not jump aboard the cryptocurrency hype, might get far behind from the competition in a near future.
Conclusion
If you want to invest in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, it is critical to look for a bank that will support your dreams.
Even though finding the right bank is not easy, the ones we have discussed in this article are undoubtedly the best crypto-friendly banks that have some specific services and products that will support you in all your Bitcoin transactions.
They also provide consultative services aimed at helping clients choose the right services and products that fulfill their current needs and long-term cryptocurrency investment goals.
Do additional research on each bank, choose the best, and keep investing in cryptocurrency. If you want to avoid banks, download Tezro app, a fully encrypted text messaging service that is also a crypto wallet and exchange.
Key Takeaways
- Crypto-friendly banks are the ones who accept cryptocurrency transactions and are actively investing in blockchain;
- Some banks feel threatened by cryptocurrencies instead of accepting and embracing it;
- Lithuania is the country in Europe that has more active crypto-friendly banks;
- There are a couple of mainstream banks already accepting crypto: Barclays and Goldman Sachs, for example.
- Banks that do not look into the potential of the cryptocurrency may get a false start when the competition is already too far ahead.
