The RLB NÖ-Wien, a branch of Raiffeisen Bank, is gearing up to offer cryptocurrency trading opportunities to its retail customers by early 2024.
Austrian subsidiary Raiffeisenlandesbank Niederösterreich-Wien (RLB NÖ-Wien) has confirmed plans to introduce cryptocurrency trading services to its clientele in the months ahead, a move initially announced in April 2023. Collaborating with Austrian crypto firm Bitpanda, RLB NÖ-Wien aims to facilitate a comprehensive crypto rollout.
The upcoming service will grant RLB NÖ-Wien users access to Bitpanda’s entire spectrum of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ether, among others. Bitpanda’s Deputy CEO, Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, had previously expressed the bank’s intention to make this crypto trading offering accessible across all customer segments, spanning retail, private banking, and corporate clients.
“While the primary objective is to extend our offerings to all RLB NÖ-Wien customers, the initial launch will commence with clients located in Vienna,” confirmed a Bitpanda spokesperson.
Raiffeisen’s leap into the crypto sphere echoes Bitcoin’s expanding adoption, complemented by similar movements such as Ferrari’s acceptance of cryptocurrency payments starting in October 2023. Established as one of Europe’s oldest banks, Raiffeisen Bank inaugurated its first branch in Austria’s Mühldorf back in 1886. As of June 30, 2023, the Raiffeisen Group managed assets valued at 247 billion Swiss francs ($280 billion) and held client loans amounting to 219 billion CHF ($248 billion).
