Banca Sella Becomes First Italian Bank Authorized for Crypto Services

Banca Sella has taken a major step forward in the adoption of cryptocurrencies in Italy's banking sector by becoming the first Italian bank to receive authorization under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation. The bank, which is based in Biella, will now be able to offer custody and transfer services for digital assets, marking a significant shift towards the acceptance of cryptocurrencies by traditional financial institutions.

The bank's authorization was granted after it completed its notification process with the Bank of Italy on May 27, 2026. Under MiCA, credit institutions can enter certain crypto-asset services through a notification process with their national regulator, which is a lighter path than the full licensing required for non-bank entities.

Banca Sella has been investing heavily in digital assets and has established a dedicated team to handle its crypto operations. The bank's Managing Director of Digital Banking, Andrea Tessera, believes that the shift towards instant, interoperable, and programmable models is reshaping financial infrastructure at both the European and global level.