Banca Sella has become the first bank in Italy authorized to offer crypto-asset services under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, according to an announcement on May 27, 2026. The Italian commercial bank completed its notification process with the Bank of Italy and received approval to provide custody, transfer, and receipt of digital assets.
The authorization marks a regulatory milestone for traditional banking in Italy’s crypto sector. Banca Sella, part of Sella Group, will launch the services to “selected categories” of customers, though the bank did not specify which customer segments would qualify.
Andrea Tessera, managing director of digital banking at Banca Sella, described the bank’s vision for digital assets as “instant, interoperable, and programmable.” The bank did not disclose fees, service scope, or how the new MiCA-compliant offering will relate to its existing Bitcoin wallet services through Hype, its digital banking brand.
Existing Crypto Exposure
Banca Sella’s entry into regulated crypto services builds on prior exposure to digital assets. Hype, the Sella Group’s digital banking brand, has offered Bitcoin wallet services since March 2020 through a partnership with Italian crypto firm Conio. As of 2024, Hype served approximately 1.7 million customers, while Banca Sella itself had around 1.3 million customers.
The bank’s interest in crypto infrastructure predates this authorization. In 2022, Banca Sella participated in a distributed ledger technology pilot promoted by Bank of Italy’s Fintech Milano Hub, signaling early engagement with blockchain innovation.
Sella Group’s Broader Crypto Strategy
Banca Sella is among the founders of Qivalis, a consortium of 37 European banks planning to issue a euro-denominated stablecoin. Sella Group operates 300 branches and employs 2,400 people across its operations.
The MiCA authorization represents the first formal regulatory pathway for a traditional Italian bank to offer regulated crypto services. As EU member states implement MiCA across their jurisdictions, similar authorizations for other banks may follow, though Banca Sella’s first-mover status in Italy positions the bank ahead of domestic competitors in the regulated crypto space.
The bank did not announce a specific launch date for the new crypto services beyond the 2026 timeline.
