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Banca Sella to Become First Italian Bank to Launch Crypto Services

Banca Sella has received approval from the Bank of Italy to begin offering services for securely holding and transferring cryptocurrencies. They intend to make these services available to a limited number of customers starting in 2026.

  • Key Takeaways:

  • Banca Sella secures Bank of Italy approval to launch crypto custody services in 2026.
  • MiCA is pushing Italian banks toward regulated crypto and tokenized finance services.
  • Banca Sella joined Qivalis as 37 EU banks prepare to expand euro stablecoin infrastructure.

Bank of Italy Clears Banca Sella for Crypto Services Launch in 2026

Banca Sella is preparing to become the first Italian bank to offer crypto-related services under Europe’s digital asset rulebook, marking another step in the region’s push to bring crypto activity into regulated finance.

Banca Sella has received approval from the Bank of Italy and is now preparing to offer digital asset custody and transfer services, potentially starting in 2026.

These services won’t be available to everyone right away. Banca Sella plans to initially offer them to a select group of customers, reflecting a careful approach as banks throughout Europe assess customer interest, regulatory requirements, and potential risks.

The move comes as the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation reshapes how banks, exchanges, and other firms can provide crypto services. For Banca Sella, the approval process gives it a first-mover position in Italy’s regulated banking sector.

Andrea Tessera, who leads digital banking at Banca Sella, noted the growing trend of people using digital assets.

Payments are changing rapidly, becoming faster, more connected, and more flexible, which is reshaping how financial systems work both in Europe and worldwide. Banca Sella’s latest offering is part of this ongoing shift.

Banca Sella has been active in blockchain and digital asset initiatives for several years. Since 2022, it has taken part in a trial promoted by the Bank of Italy’s Fintech Milano Hub. The bank said it has also invested in the technology and skills needed to work with distributed ledger technology, blockchain systems, and digital assets.

Banca Sella is also a founding member of Qivalis, a consortium of 37 European banks working on a euro-backed stablecoin. The project reflects growing interest among banks in blockchain-based settlement and digital forms of fiat.

The announcement shows how traditional banks are moving closer to digital assets by building services inside a regulated framework. For Italy, Banca Sella’s entry could set a benchmark for how other lenders approach crypto custody, transfers, and tokenized finance under MiCA.

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2026-05-28 11:58