40 German banks apply for BaFin license to offer crypto services

[mlawson71]

Late last year Germany passed a law that allows banks to trade cryptocurrencies. That law was a consequence of the Fifth EU Money Laundering Directive that came into force from January 1st this year and which also led to the British regulator FCA issuing licenses to companies that which to deal in cryptocurrencies.
The German regulator Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) also clarified that companies that which to conduct a cryptocurrency business on German territory, be they German or international, must obtain a license from them by the end of March this year.
In accordance with the new law in Germany forty banks have already sought the approval of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) to conduct a cryptocurrency business.
Source
It is fascinating that banks are entering the cryptocurrency industry. For now it's just in Germany but I have little doubt this trend will spead.