In a significant move for the cryptocurrency landscape in Europe, BPCE, France”s second-largest banking group, has initiated a service allowing its regional customers to purchase major cryptocurrencies directly through its banking app. This rollout commenced on Monday, enabling approximately 2 million users in four regional banks to invest in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and USDC.
The initiative represents one of the most expansive entries into the crypto market by a European bank. With assets amounting to around €1.5 trillion, BPCE serves over 12 million clients and plans to extend this cryptocurrency access to all users by the end of 2026.
This new service alleviates a significant barrier for everyday consumers, who previously had to register on separate exchanges to trade cryptocurrencies. Now, they can seamlessly buy digital assets within the same app they utilize for their traditional banking needs.
The implementation is staged, allowing BPCE to monitor system performance and manage associated risks during this initial phase. Transactions will be processed through a specialized digital asset account overseen by HexaRK, BPCE”s dedicated crypto unit. Customers using this account will incur a monthly fee of €2.99 along with a 1.5% commission on trades.
While several European banks, such as BBVA in Spain and Santander, have explored similar features, BPCE”s substantial scale is likely to amplify the impact of this launch across the continent.
BPCE”s introduction of crypto trading coincides with ongoing discussions in France regarding new tax legislation that would designate cryptocurrencies as “unproductive wealth,” imposing a 1% tax on high-value holdings. This proposal, supported by lawmaker Jean-Paul Mattei, narrowly passed with a 163–150 vote during budget discussions. The measure still requires Senate approval and has stirred concerns in the crypto community about potential stifling of innovation in an industry that has positioned France as a burgeoning hub for Web3 enterprises, attracting notable companies like Binance and Ledger.
Analysts suggest that BPCE”s move could inspire other significant banking institutions to adopt similar services, particularly as Europe”s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations are set to provide clearer guidelines for financial entities engaging with digital assets.











































