Europe’s prominent exchange operator, Deutsche Börse, has introduced a novel regulated spot platform tailored for institutional clients dealing in crypto assets.
Unveiled on Tuesday, the German stock exchange unveiled the Deutsche Börse Digital Exchange (DBDX), a platform designed to furnish a fully regulated environment for the trading, settlement, and custody of digital assets.
Carlo Kölzer, the head of FX and DBDX, remarked in a press release, “Our innovative solution marks a pivotal moment for digital ecosystems. We are committed to delivering trusted market operations for crypto assets, ensuring institutional clients in Europe benefit from transparency, security, and regulatory compliance.”
Trading activities on the DBDX platform will adopt a Request for Quote (RfQ) model, subsequently transitioning into multilateral trading. Deutsche Börse will oversee the trading venue, while Crypto Finance will assume responsibility for settlement and custody services.
In January, Germany’s financial watchdog, BaFin, granted four licenses to Crypto Finance, a company under the umbrella of Deutsche Börse. These licenses empower Crypto Finance to conduct regulated trading, settlement, and custody services for digital assets within Germany. Additionally, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) already oversees the operations of the company. Targeting institutional investors, Crypto Finance aims to fortify its position within the crypto ecosystem by leveraging these licenses.
Looking ahead to 2026, Deutsche Börse outlined its growth strategy, investment plans, and efforts to attract institutional investors. The exchange envisions sustained 7% growth until 2026, bolstered by the acquisition of new firms to augment its growth trajectory. Additionally, it intends to implement a fresh capital management scheme and initiate share buybacks worth 300 million euros to support its expansion initiatives.
Germany’s DZ Bank to Pilot Crypto Trading 2024
Reports surfaced in February indicating that DZ Bank, Germany’s second-largest bank, is poised to launch a trial for retail crypto trading sometime this year. This service is set to cater to private customers who wish to engage in cryptocurrency trading autonomously, without the need for financial advisory services.
DZ Bank, boasting $627 billion in assets under management, introduced a blockchain-powered digital custody platform last year, showcasing its commitment to embracing digital innovations in the financial sector.
