Banca Sella Becomes First Italian Bank Authorized to Offer Crypto Services Under MiCA
Banca Sella has become the first Italian bank to receive authorization to provide crypto-asset services under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, marking a significant milestone for the country’s banking sector.
The approval, granted through the Bank of Italy, allows Banca Sella to offer regulated crypto-asset services to clients across the European Union. The bank plans to launch its crypto offering later this year.
According to the company’s announcement, the initial focus will be on digital asset custody and transfer services, particularly for corporate and institutional clients. Banca Sella said it will provide the safekeeping, receipt and transfer of crypto assets, positioning itself as a regulated provider of digital asset infrastructure. The bank has not yet outlined plans for crypto trading services, suggesting its first phase may be centered on custody rather than buying and selling digital assets.
The approval highlights the growing role of traditional banks in Europe’s digital asset market following the implementation of MiCA, which established a unified regulatory framework for crypto services across the EU. The regulation is designed to provide greater legal certainty, consumer protection and market oversight while encouraging innovation in digital finance.
”Being the first Italian bank able to offer custody and transfer services for crypto assets is an important milestone and reflects the broader transformation of the European financial sector toward digital assets,” said Andrea Tessera, Managing Director of Digital Banking at Banca Sella.
Banca Sella has been actively expanding its presence in digital finance and was among the founding members of Qivalis, a European banking consortium focused on stablecoin initiatives. The consortium has grown to include dozens of banking institutions exploring blockchain-based payment and settlement solutions.
The authorization positions Banca Sella at the forefront of Italy’s emerging crypto banking market and reflects increasing interest among traditional financial institutions in offering regulated digital asset services as demand from corporate and institutional clients continues to grow.
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