21bitcoin operator FIOR Digital GmbH has launched a Europe‑first pilot venture with Volksbank Raiffeisenbank Bayern Mitte eG and Sopra Monetary Expertise GmbH to develop a regulatory-compliant bitcoin-backed lending white‑label answer, introduced October 20, 2025.
The consortium will run the pilot from Salzburg and accomplice banks’ websites, combining 21bitcoin’s custody and user-experience capabilities with VR Financial institution Bayern Mitte’s retail banking expertise and Sopra’s integration know-how.
The initiative goals to let clients use bitcoin as collateral with out promoting it, opening new liquidity entry whereas preserving potential worth good points and tax therapy; 21bitcoin experiences about 100,000 European clients and roughly Ꞓ500 million in buying and selling quantity. “Our aim is to make Bitcoin accessible and usable for everybody,” mentioned Daniel Winklhammer, CEO of 21bitcoin, and the product will adjust to regulatory necessities together with the Markets in Crypto‑Property Regulation (MiCAR) the place relevant.
FAQ 🧭
• The place is the pilot based mostly? — Salzburg, Austria, with implementation throughout collaborating German financial institution areas.
• Who’re the companions? — FIOR Digital/21bitcoin, Volksbank Raiffeisenbank Bayern Mitte eG, and Sopra Monetary Expertise GmbH.
• What does the product do? — It allows bitcoin-backed loans so clients maintain their BTC whereas accessing liquidity.
• Is it regulatory-compliant? — The pilot is designed to satisfy EU guidelines, together with Markets in Crypto‑Property Regulation (MiCAR), the place relevant.
