Societe Generale Doubles Down on Crypto: Partners with 21Shares for Game-Changing ETP Launch

French banking giant Societe Generale just placed its biggest bet yet on digital assets—teaming up with crypto heavyweight 21Shares to roll out a new exchange-traded product (ETP).

Why it matters: When a 158-year-old institution starts playing nice with crypto natives, the old guard’s ‘blockchain not Bitcoin’ mantra starts looking shaky.

The fine print: No terms disclosed (classic TradFi opacity), but insiders confirm this isn’t just another custody play—it’s a full-throated endorsement of crypto as institutional-grade collateral.

Between the lines: SocGen’s blockchain division has been quietly building since 2019. Now they’re flipping the switch from ‘experiment’ to ‘revenue driver’—just as BlackRock’s ETF army starts hoovering up assets.

The kicker: Watch for this to trigger copycat deals across European banks. Nothing inspires innovation like FOMO—and the scent of 1.5% management fees on shiny new crypto products.

TLDR

• Societe Generale has partnered with 21Shares to support Bitcoin and Ether ETPs in Europe.
• The bank will act as a market maker and provide over-the-counter liquidity services.
• This move targets enhanced execution and access for institutional investors in Germany and Eastern Europe.
• Societe Generale will support the trading of ABTC, CBTC, AETH, and CETH ETPs.
• The partnership is part of Societe Generale’s broader digital asset strategy under the MiCA framework.

Societe Generale has expanded its crypto operations by becoming a market maker for 21Shares’ Bitcoin and Ether ETPs. This partnership strengthens Societe Generale’s position in digital assets and boosts liquidity in regulated crypto investment products. It also enhances trading efficiency across Germany and Eastern European markets for institutional investors.

Societe Generale to Support Bitcoin ETPs with OTC Liquidity

Societe Generale now provides over-the-counter liquidity for 21Shares’ core bitcoin ETPs under tickers ABTC and CBTC. The initiative increases institutional access while aligning with growing European demand for secure and regulated crypto investment products. This move ensures greater execution quality and reduces trading spreads for professional investors.

The partnership also helps 21Shares maintain tight bid-ask spreads for its physically backed Bitcoin ETPs listed on European exchanges. Societe Generale’s role ensures price stability and consistent market performance across volatile trading sessions. The collaboration reflects a broader trend among banks entering digital asset markets under clearer regulatory conditions.

Societe Generale, with over $1.7 trillion in assets, now leverages its infrastructure to support high-volume crypto trades. By offering liquidity services, the bank adds traditional finance stability to digital asset products. This marks a strategic milestone in bridging institutional finance with crypto markets.

Ether ETP Liquidity Boosted on Exchanges

The collaboration also includes support for 21Shares’ Ether ETPs under the tickers AETH and CETH across multiple European venues. Societe Generale now facilitates smoother trade execution and greater liquidity for institutional Ether exposure. The bank’s participation ensures real-time access to liquid Ether instruments in regulated formats.

As part of the deal, Societe Generale delivers institutional-grade trading services tailored to crypto exchange-traded products. These include precise market-making strategies, strong OTC support, and compliance with European regulations. These efforts provide institutional clients with efficient ways to enter Ether markets without direct asset custody.

Societe Generale’s infrastructure now powers the trading of Ethereum-backed securities across key exchanges in Germany and Eastern Europe. The bank’s involvement marks a critical expansion of digital asset accessibility in traditional capital markets. It also shows continued momentum in regulated crypto finance across the region.

Strategic Expansion Aligned with MiCA and Blockchain Integration

This market-making role aligns with Societe Generale’s broader digital asset strategy under Europe’s upcoming MiCA framework. The bank recently worked with Bitpanda to promote its euro-denominated stablecoin, EUR CoinVertible (EURCV). That project was led by Societe Generale-FORGE, the bank’s blockchain-focused subsidiary.

Societe Generale’s active crypto involvement highlights its long-term commitment to blockchain finance within regulated European markets. The 21Shares partnership demonstrates readiness to scale operations in tokenized finance under MiCA compliance.