Across many markets, crypto, Web3, trading, and digital asset companies continue to face a common obstacle: traditional banks that refuse to open or maintain accounts for crypto-related businesses.
This happens even when companies are licensed, fully KYC/KYB-compliant, and operating transparently. For founders and finance teams, the issue is no longer theoretical. It directly affects payroll, settlements, treasury management, and growth.
Searches such as “banks that do not accept crypto businesses”, “crypto-friendly bank”, or “SEPA account for crypto company” reflect a clear reality: businesses are actively replacing banks that no longer support them.
Why Many Banks Still Reject Crypto Companies
Most large banks were built around fiat-only risk models. Crypto introduces operational patterns these institutions often prefer to avoid rather than adapt to.
The most common internal reasons include:
Sector-wide de-risking policies
Limited internal expertise in on-chain transaction analysis
Manual AML systems not designed for crypto transaction speed and volume
A preference for compliance simplicity over innovation
These decisions are usually commercial, not regulatory. The European Union does not prohibit crypto banking. In practice, banks choose whether they want to support it.
Banks Commonly Reported as Crypto-Restrictive
Policies vary by entity and over time. The institutions below are frequently cited by crypto businesses as restrictive or unwilling to support crypto-related activity.
HSBC
Known for conservative crypto exposure, frequent enhanced reviews, and limited appetite for crypto-native operating models.BNP Paribas
Extensive documentation requirements often result in rejection or prolonged onboarding for crypto businesses.Barclays
While retail crypto access may exist, business accounts linked to crypto activity face higher rejection rates.Deutsche Bank
Active in institutional digital asset initiatives, but SME crypto onboarding remains selective and slow.ING
Frequently mentioned by founders for rigid internal risk frameworks around crypto payments.Commerzbank
Conservative stance toward crypto-related revenues, particularly for trading and payment flows.Société Générale
Innovation at group level does not always translate into practical access for crypto SMEs.UniCredit
Crypto-linked activity often triggers enhanced reviews, delays, or refusal.
The pattern is consistent: crypto is treated as a structural risk rather than a business vertical.
What Rejection Means for Operating Crypto Businesses
Being rejected or offboarded is not an administrative inconvenience. It directly impacts operations:
Loss of SEPA and SEPA Instant access
Frozen or delayed operating capital
Disrupted supplier, partner, and payroll payments
Dependence on fragile intermediary setups
Higher compliance and treasury complexity
Industry data shows that over 40% of digital and crypto businesses experience banking instability during scaling phases.
What Crypto Businesses Look for When Switching Banks
Companies replacing a traditional bank are not looking for experimentation. They need stability, predictability, and continuity.
Key requirements usually include:
A dedicated EUR IBAN that remains operational
Support for crypto-to-euro flows
Reliable SEPA and SEPA Instant payments
Batch payments for high-volume activity
Compliance processes aligned with blockchain-based business models
This is where fintech infrastructure differs fundamentally from legacy banking.
Monetum: A Crypto-Friendly Banking Alternative
Monetum provides euro payment infrastructure designed for businesses that traditional banks often decline.
Monetum supports:
Dedicated EUR IBAN business accounts
Crypto-aware onboarding and compliance
Crypto-to-euro conversion workflows
SEPA and SEPA Instant payments
Batch payments for scale
Open-banking payment rails
The platform operates under regulatory alignment across the EU and Switzerland, with infrastructure built for digital-first businesses rather than adapted afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are banks allowed to refuse crypto businesses?
Yes. Most refusals are based on internal risk policies, not legal restrictions.
Is crypto banking legal?
Yes. Crypto businesses are legal and regulated under AML and licensing frameworks.
Can banks close crypto-related accounts without notice?
Many banks reserve broad de-risking rights, which can result in sudden exits.
What makes a banking partner crypto-friendly?
Support for crypto-to-fiat flows, understanding of on-chain transactions, and stable payment infrastructure.
Is Monetum suitable for high-risk or regulated sectors?
Monetum works with crypto, Web3, trading, iGaming, and other digital businesses often rejected by traditional banks.
Next Steps
If your business has been rejected, delayed, or restricted by a traditional bank, it is often a sign that your operating model no longer fits legacy banking systems.
You can:
Open a Monetum Account to access crypto-friendly euro payment infrastructure
Talk to an Expert to assess whether Monetum fits your business model
Both options are designed for businesses that need clarity before committing.