Giropay is Germany's own online banking payment system, supported by over 1,500 German banks. It lets you pay directly from your bank account — no card needed, no third-party wallet — making it one of the most trusted payment methods for German crypto buyers.
Giropay was developed by Germany's banking sector as a secure online payment method backed directly by bank accounts. Unlike cards or e-wallets, Giropay routes your payment through your bank's own online banking portal, meaning the funds come directly from your current account (Girokonto) in real time. There is no credit risk, no intermediary e-wallet, and no stored card data.
Giropay is supported by over 1,500 German financial institutions, covering an estimated 85% of all German bank account holders. This includes all Sparkasse branches nationwide, all Volksbank and Raiffeisenbank cooperative banks, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Postbank, ING Germany, Comdirect, DKB, HypoVereinsbank (HVB), and Targobank. N26 notably does not support Giropay, but supports SEPA Instant as an alternative.
When you select Giropay on a crypto exchange, you are presented with a list of banks. Select yours, and you are redirected to your bank's familiar online banking login page — the exact same interface you use for your day-to-day banking. Enter your credentials and approve the payment using your bank's second-factor method (TAN via app, SMS-TAN, ChipTAN reader, or photoTAN). The payment is confirmed in seconds and the exchange credits your account.
Giropay offers same-day settlement compared to SEPA's 1–3 business days, but typically carries a small processing fee (up to 1–1.5%) on the exchange side, whereas SEPA deposits are usually free. For urgent purchases where you don't want to wait for SEPA, Giropay is an excellent middle ground — faster than SEPA, cheaper than card. For regular investing, SEPA remains the lowest-cost option.
It is worth noting that the Giropay network announced plans to wind down in late 2024. However, many German banks continue to support Giropay-style instant bank transfers under their own branding, and the broader category of bank-authenticated instant payments remains available. Always check the exchange's current payment options, as availability may vary.
Create your account on CEX.IO or another exchange that accepts Giropay. Complete KYC with your German ID or passport. Ensure your online banking access is active and your TAN method is set up.
Go to Deposit EUR and select Giropay. Enter the amount you wish to deposit and click Proceed. A list of German banks will appear — select yours.
You are redirected to your bank's secure online banking portal (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Volksbank etc.). Log in with your banking credentials and authorise the payment using your TAN method.
Giropay deposits typically credit your exchange account within the same business day. Once your EUR balance shows, navigate to Buy, select your cryptocurrency and confirm the purchase.
