Bitcoin News Today: 21Shares and Societe Generale Expand Institutional Access to Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs in Europe

21Shares AG and Société Générale have expanded institutional access to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded products (ETPs) in Europe through a strategic partnership. The collaboration, announced on July 23, positions Société Générale as a market maker for 21Shares’ BTC and ETH ETPs, including ABTC, CBTC, AETH, and CETH, on key fund platforms in Germany and Eastern Europe. By providing over-the-counter liquidity, the bank aims to improve trading efficiency and reduce bid-ask spreads for institutional investors [1]. This initiative aligns with 21Shares’ mission to deliver trusted crypto investment solutions and leverages Société Générale’s extensive institutional infrastructure, including its presence on major European fund platforms [2].

The partnership addresses liquidity challenges in the crypto ETP market, which has seen rising demand from institutional participants seeking exposure to digital assets amid macroeconomic uncertainties. By enhancing execution quality and ease of access, the collaboration is expected to lower barriers for German and Eastern European investors. 21Shares’ ETPs, listed on regulated exchanges, offer institutional clients a familiar structure to track BTC and ETH performance while mitigating risks associated with direct crypto ownership [3].

Société Générale’s role as a market maker underscores the growing integration of digital assets into mainstream finance. The bank’s ETF Sales Trading UK head, Martina Schroettle, highlighted the importance of supporting 21Shares’ ETPs on fund platforms, which serve as critical infrastructure for institutional trading [4]. Alistair Byas-Perry, Global Head of Capital Markets and EMEA Investment at 21Shares, emphasized the partnership’s potential to advance liquidity and trust in crypto markets, aligning with broader European trends in product innovation and regulatory clarity [5].

This move follows broader industry momentum, including BlackRock’s recent launch of a BTC ETP in Europe. By addressing liquidity bottlenecks, the partnership could attract a wider range of institutional clients, such as pension funds and hedge funds, to crypto ETPs. However, success will depend on market conditions, particularly the volatility of BTC and ETH, which may impact trading volumes and liquidity provision [6].

The collaboration highlights the strategic importance of liquidity in the crypto ETP sector. While ETPs provide a regulated pathway to digital assets, their utility relies on robust market infrastructure. By partnering with a major European bank, 21Shares is positioning itself to capitalize on sector growth while mitigating risks tied to low liquidity [7]. The partnership also reflects traditional financial institutions’ increasing role in the crypto ecosystem, as they seek to diversify institutional portfolios amid evolving regulatory frameworks like the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (ESMA) efforts to standardize crypto ETP regulations [8].

Source:

[1] [21Shares Partners with Societe Generale to Expand Institutional Access to Crypto ETPs in Europe](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/07/23/3119997/0/en/21Shares-Partners-with-Societe-Generale-to-Expand-Institutional-Access-to-Crypto-ETPs-in-Europe.html)

[2] [21Shares and Societe Generale Partner to Expand ...](https://www.leaprate.com/cryptocurrency/21shares-and-societe-generale-partner-to-expand-institutional-access-to-crypto-etps-in-europe/)

[3] [21Shares and Societe Generale Collaborate to Enhance ...](https://www.ainvest.com/news/21shares-societe-generale-collaborate-enhance-crypto-etp-liquidity-germany-eastern-europe-2507/)

[4] [21Shares, Societe Generale Partner To Enhance Crypto ETP](https://www.tronweekly.com/21shares-societe-generale-enhance-crypto-etp/)

[5] [21Shares Societe Generale Partnership Powers ETP Trading](https://www.coingabbar.com/en/crypto-currency-news/shares-societe-generale-partnership-boost-crypto-etp-eu?srsltid=AfmBOor8MYjOPgwlSmIqOBWpJ72t95hrhtcLnwOj19AsyiHfimUffhXa)

[6] [21Shares, Societe Generale Partner To Enhance Crypto ETP](https://www.tronweekly.com/21shares-societe-generale-enhance-crypto-etp/)

[7] [21Shares Societe Generale Partnership Powers ETP Trading](https://www.coingabbar.com/en/crypto-currency-news/shares-societe-generale-partnership-boost-crypto-etp-eu?srsltid=AfmBOor8MYjOPgwlSmIqOBWpJ72t95hrhtcLnwOj19AsyiHfimUffhXa)

[8] [21Shares, Societe Generale Partner To Enhance Crypto ETP](https://www.tronweekly.com/21shares-societe-generale-enhance-crypto-etp/)