The banking group prepares a major digital-asset rollout, allowing users to trade leading cryptocurrencies directly inside its mobile apps.
French banking group BPCE is preparing to introduce in-app cryptocurrency trading for retail customers, becoming one of the first major European banks to integrate digital assets into its core banking services. The move signals a significant shift in how traditional financial institutions are adapting to growing demand for direct, regulated crypto access.
BPCE Expands Into Crypto Trading
Beginning Monday, customers of selected regional branches of Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne will be able to buy and sell Bitcoin, Ether, Solana and USDC directly from their mobile banking apps. The rollout will initially reach about 2 million users, including clients in Île-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, before expanding to all 12 million retail customers by 2026.
A bank representative indicated that BPCE is using a phased launch to evaluate performance and user engagement before scaling nationwide.
The service operates through a dedicated digital-asset account managed by Hexarq, the bank’s crypto subsidiary. Customers will pay a €2.99 monthly fee for access, alongside a 1.5% commission on each transaction, with a minimum charge per trade. By integrating the service into its existing apps, BPCE allows users to engage with crypto without relying on external exchanges or self-custody wallets.
BPCE’s move comes amid rising competition between traditional banks and fintech platforms offering digital-asset services. Other major European institutions have taken comparable steps, with banks introducing in-app crypto trading and custody solutions to retain customers seeking regulated access to digital assets.
The expansion also follows broader policy developments in France, where lawmakers recently approved an amendment to extend wealth-tax rules to cover digital assets classified as “unproductive wealth.”
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.