Raiffeisen Bank International [RBI] is making big crypto moves, and it’s taking Bitpanda along for the ride. Here’s the rundown on their cryptocurrency trading plans for Central and Eastern Europe.
Bitpanda to power crypto across RBI network
The deal went public on Wednesday, September 23. Bitpanda Enterprise is set to handle the crypto plumbing, and RBI’s network banks will just plug in and launch their own services.
The framework spans an RBI network serving around 18 million customers.
It won’t look the same everywhere, though. Each bank gets to decide what it offers and when. That would hinge on local market conditions and regulations.
RBI CEO Michael Höllerer said demand for crypto is picking up across the bank’s markets, and Bitpanda is how it plans to meet it.
We are seeing growing demand for crypto assets in our markets, which we are addressing with a strong, reputable partner.
Austria first, then three more countries in 2027!
This is familiar territory for the pair.
Bitpanda teamed up with Austria’s Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien in 2024. The new partnership builds on that.
Christian Trummer, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Bitpanda, said,
I’m proud that what we pioneered in Austria is now growing into a partnership that can bring digital assets to millions of people in the CEE region.
Austrian customers can already use the service. Next in line are Albania, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia; an RBI spokesperson mentioned that the rollout should start in the first half of next year.
For a primarily TradFi banking institution, this is huge. Customers will be able to access cryptocurrency trading through the same bank that holds their savings account.
Final Summary
- Raiffeisen Bank International and Bitpanda are set to provide cryptocurrency trading to around 18 million customers.
- Focus areas are Central and Eastern Europe. After launching in Austria, they move to Albania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic in 2027.
