**[German Savings Banks Gradually Launch Cryptocurrency Trading Services]** Foresight News reports, according to the German Press Agency (dpa), the German Savings Banks Association (DSGV) announced that starting October 19, the first batch of participating German savings bank (Sparkassen) customers can trade cryptocurrencies through the existing savings bank app. Each savings bank will decide its own launch timeline, with 30 to 40 additional savings banks joining each month. The plan aims to cover most interested savings banks by the first half of 2027. The first supported cryptocurrencies include BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and POL. The service is provided by DekaBank, the securities service provider under the Savings Banks Group, with crypto assets being jointly custodied by DekaBank and the Stuttgart Stock Exchange. Each transaction will incur a fee of approximately $1.11 (€0.99). DSGV stated that the service is targeted at customers who wish to independently buy, sell, and custody cryptocurrencies. Savings banks will not provide investment advice or actively promote the service on a large scale. DSGV emphasized that cryptocurrencies remain highly speculative assets and will clearly warn customers about the risks of significant price volatility and potential total loss. *Foresight News Note:* According to DSGV's official website, as of August 2026, there are 337 independently operated savings banks in Germany. [Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung](https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/bitcoin-und-co-sparkassen-starten-schrittweise-kryptohandel-mit-warnung-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-261019-930-859409)