**Crypto Services Expand in Germany**

Germany's second-largest financial institution, DZ Bank, has teamed up with Boerse Stuttgart Digital to offer cryptocurrency trading and custody services. This partnership will allow around 700 cooperative banks under DZ Bank to provide their customers access to digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH).

- **Phased Roll-Out**: The service will be introduced in phases, starting later this year. Initially, a select group of retail clients will test the new offering.

- **Boerse Stuttgart's Role**: Boerse Stuttgart Digital will provide the regulatory and technical infrastructure for these services.

- **Future Plans**: Full implementation is expected by the end of 2024, based on initial test results.

This move follows a similar announcement by Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, which plans to offer crypto custody solutions in partnership with Bitpanda by mid-2024.