KBC Bank Introduces Crypto Trading Through Bolero Platform
Belgium’s KBC Bank has announced its intention to offer crypto trading services to clients through its Bolero platform. The bank stated that the rollout will commence from mid-February, operating under the European MiCAR regulations.
Europe’s digital asset landscape is actively taking shape as more banking institutions join the evolving crypto ecosystem. KBC Bank is among the latest European banks to announce significant developments in this area. The bank published a press release detailing its plans to roll out crypto trading services starting mid-February.
According to the press release, retail investors in Belgium will have the opportunity to buy and sell digital assets within a secure and regulated environment facilitated by the Bolero platform. This initiative ensures that crypto trading will be conducted in full compliance with the European MiCAR regulations. The rollout positions KBC as the first Belgian bank to meet the necessary regulatory standards for offering crypto trading solutions to its clients.
The bank has submitted a comprehensive Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) notification to European financial regulators and is on schedule to begin offering trading activities for Bitcoin and Ethereum. This move signifies KBC's commitment to embracing digital assets within a controlled framework.
Erik Luts, Chief Innovation Officer at KBC Group, emphasized that the bank's decision to offer crypto trading services within a regulated environment is consistent with its long-term vision of remaining an innovator in a rapidly evolving market. He highlighted the growing participation of new players in the digital asset space.
The European banking sector has observed significant growth in crypto trading and investing in recent years. KBC noted that approximately 45% of Belgians in their thirties are already active investors in the crypto space. The bank's strategic decision to offer these services on the Bolero platform aims to attract this demographic, as 60% of Bolero users are under the age of 40.
KBC has clarified that the Bolero platform will exclusively facilitate crypto trading and will not provide investment advice. Investors seeking to trade crypto assets through the platform will be required to complete a knowledge and experience test. This assessment is designed to determine their familiarity with the industry, its underlying technology, and the associated risks.
Céline Pfister, CEO of Bolero, commented in the press release that digitally oriented customers have shown increasing interest in the crypto industry. She explained that Bolero will provide these customers with complete control over their assets and investment decisions.
Pfister also noted that the platform will offer educational materials through the Bolero Academy section on its applications. This resource is intended to assist new investors who may lack prior industry knowledge.
KBC and Bolero have implemented comprehensive measures to mitigate the risks associated with fraudulent activities and money laundering within their crypto trading services.
The bank announced that the alliance will utilize a closed-loop system for Bolero investors. This system will enable customers to trade their crypto assets exclusively on the platform.
Customers will not be permitted to deposit or withdraw crypto assets to or from external platforms. The bank further stated that users will be subject to stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Transaction (KYT) scrutiny. Transactions will only be finalized after the source of funds has been confirmed as credible.
Expansion of Crypto Services by European Banks
Germany’s second-largest bank, DZ Bank, has also announced its receipt of MiCA approval from BaFin to offer crypto services through its digital assets platform, meinKrypto. According to a previous report, the bank plans to initially offer trading for Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, and Cardano, with the intention to add more crypto assets over time, subject to regulatory approval.
DekaBank, a part of the Sparkassen network, introduced its digital asset services last year, initially providing limited services exclusively to institutional clients. LBBW also partnered with the Bitpanda crypto exchange in 2024 to offer digital asset custody services, with LBBW’s crypto service also being limited to corporate and institutional customers.
In a significant collaborative effort, European banking giants teamed up last year to develop a Euro-pegged stablecoin. In late December, BNP Paribas joined nine other central banks in a project named Qivalis, established to develop an EU-based token for on-chain payments. The group announced its intention to roll out the stablecoin in the second half of 2026.