In a New Phase for Open Banking and Crypto Integration

Coinbase and Tink have introduced direct bank-to-crypto transfers in Germany, marking another advancement in the integration of traditional banking with digital currencies.

This feature enables users to instantly transfer funds from their bank accounts into crypto assets through their bank’s interface. The infrastructure backing this transaction is provided by Tink, which was acquired by Visa three years ago and now integrates with platforms like PayPal and Revolut.

The current implementation is limited to Germany; however, the potential for broader expansion across Europe, including countries such as Spain, France, and Sweden, exists due to Tink’s extensive network coverage in the region.

The Push for Open Banking

This collaboration benefits from the EU’s ongoing effort to promote open banking through APIs. Open banking allows third-party service providers to connect with banks, giving consumers more control over their financial data and enabling banks to integrate with a wider range of digital services.

The revised Payments Services Directive (PSD2) introduced by the EU aims to secure customer data and increase competition among European financial institutions.

Capitalizing on Crypto Growth

Coinbase has taken advantage of the significant growth in crypto adoption over the past year. The company is expanding its reach through various partnerships, including stablecoin acceptance with Shopify and enabling crypto purchases via Apple Pay for app developers.

MORE NOTABLY, Coinbase launched x402 payments agentic commerce protocol, a platform that allows APIs, apps, and AI agents to conduct transactions with minimal code integration. This innovation paves the way for AI-driven stablecoin transactions.

These integrations not only expand Coinbase’s footprint but also represent progress toward an API-driven open banking model, highlighting the future direction of financial technology.