Raiffeisen Bank International Expands Bitpanda Deal To Reach 18 Million Customers

Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) announced an expansion of its partnership with Austrian crypto platform Bitpanda, a move that could bring digital asset services to approximately 18 million customers across its banking network. The announcement marks one of the largest crypto distribution deals between a traditional European bank and a digital asset platform to date. Under the expanded agreement, Raiffeisen network banks will be able to offer their retail customers access to cryptocurrency trading and custody services powered by Bitpanda's infrastructure. The 18 million figure represents the total customer base across RBI's network of affiliated banks, which spans multiple European markets including Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and other Central and Eastern European countries.

The expanded partnership will enable Raiffeisen network banks across multiple jurisdictions to offer crypto services to their customers, though the rollout will occur in phases rather than as a single simultaneous launch. The initial phase is expected to focus on markets where regulatory clarity is most established, with subsequent phases expanding to additional countries within the Raiffeisen network. Customers will gain access to cryptocurrency trading and custody services through Bitpanda's platform, which supports a range of major digital assets. The integration will allow Raiffeisen customers to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies directly through their existing banking relationships, eliminating the need to open separate accounts with external crypto exchanges.

The 18 million customer figure represents the total addressable market across the entire Raiffeisen network, though not all customers will have access immediately. The phased approach reflects the need to navigate varying regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions and to ensure that each market's rollout meets local compliance standards. Raiffeisen banks will maintain responsibility for customer relationships and regulatory obligations, while Bitpanda provides the underlying technology infrastructure and crypto expertise.

The partnership positions RBI among a growing group of traditional European banks that have begun offering crypto services, though the scale of this rollout would place it among the largest such initiatives. For Bitpanda, the deal strengthens its position as a leading B2B crypto infrastructure provider in Europe, complementing its direct-to-consumer business.