ZKB Expands Crypto Services, Offering Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading for Retail Clients

Switzerland’s Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), the country’s fourth-largest bank, is now offering its retail customers the ability to buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). This new service is a significant move, allowing more people to access the world of cryptocurrency through traditional banking channels.

Through a partnership with Crypto Finance, a digital assets broker owned by Deutsche Börse, ZKB customers can trade BTC and ETH directly via the bank’s Mobile App and eBanking platforms. This integration marks a major step forward for traditional financial institutions embracing digital assets.

ZKB’s involvement in the crypto space is not new. The bank previously participated in launching the world’s first digital bond on Switzerland’s SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) back in 2021, demonstrating its commitment to innovation in the financial sector.

Secure Storage and Easy Access for Customers

ZKB’s service provides a layer of security that many users seek in the crypto space. According to Alexandra Scriba, head of institutional clients and multinationals at Zürcher Kantonalbank, “Zürcher Kantonalbank takes on the critical function of securely storing the private keys. Customers and third-party banks therefore do not need their own wallet and do not have to worry about storing their private keys. Zürcher Kantonalbank takes care of both.”

Additionally, this service extends beyond ZKB itself. Other Swiss banks now have the opportunity to offer cryptocurrency trading to their clients through ZKB’s infrastructure, with Thurgauer Kantonalbank being the first to join as a partner.