The European digital asset market is entering a new phase as Societe Generale forms a partnership with 21Shares. The goal is to improve liquidity for crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) in key parts of the continent.
Societe Generale, one of Europe’s leading banks, will now support trading activity across several of 21Shares’ ETPs. These are listed investment products backed by cryptocurrencies, giving professional investors exposure to assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum without direct ownership.
The partnership is expected to benefit investors in Germany and Eastern Europe, where interest in regulated crypto investments continues to grow. According to the announcement, the collaboration will boost access and trading efficiency across platforms commonly used by institutional clients.
Under the agreement, Societe Generale will serve as a market maker for 21Shares’ products. These include Bitcoin ETPs ABTC and CBTC, as well as Ethereum ETPs AETH and CETH.
As a market maker, the bank will provide over-the-counter liquidity to help facilitate trading of these products. This means Societe Generale will help ensure buyers and sellers can transact smoothly, with better pricing and reduced trading delays.
Alistair Byas-Perry, Global Head of Capital Markets & EMEA Investment at 21Shares, said the partnership helps advance the firm’s efforts to provide efficient and trusted crypto investment solutions. He pointed out that bringing liquidity to the firm’s Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs will further support that mission.
Adding to that, Martina Schroettle, Head of ETF Sales Trading UK at Societe Generale, described the deal with 21Shares as a major step in the bank’s efforts to improve how clients access and trade crypto-based ETPs. Martina stated:
Societe Generale is excited to partner with 21Shares, a leading provider of cryptocurrency ETPs, to support the trading of their Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs on fund platforms. This marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing innovative liquidity solutions and enhancing access to a wide range of ETFs and ETPs for our clients.
Across Europe, investors are already trading crypto ETPs on major exchanges such as Deutsche Börse XETRA and the SIX Swiss Exchange in Switzerland. Many of these transactions are handled through licensed intermediaries, which are commonly used by professional investors.
The new partnership between 21Shares and Societe Generale builds on that access by improving trading flow. With liquidity support from a major bank, large clients can expect better execution and higher confidence in the products they’re investing in. This added support comes at a time when more institutions are exploring regulated crypto products.
So, what exactly makes crypto ETPs a smart move for big investors?
In its latest mid-year update, 21Shares reported that total assets under management in global crypto ETPs had reached $180 billion. The firm believes that if broader market conditions improve, that figure could rise significantly.
According to their projection, a 38% rise in digital asset valuations alone could push total global AUM past the $250 billion mark. The outlook points to growing institutional involvement, especially as regulated crypto products become more accessible.
The partnership with Societe Generale fits into a broader shift toward regulated crypto investments. With stronger infrastructure and liquidity now in place, these products are becoming more attractive to long-term investors. In fact, crypto investment vehicles drew in $17.8 billion in the first half of 2025 — just a hair below the $18.3 billion seen during the same period last year.
