Banking group BBVA has opened Bitcoin and Ethereum trading and storage options for retail customers in Spain. The service is available on the bank's mobile app for all adult customers. The launch was preceded by the submission of an application to the National Securities Market Commission in March 2025. The bank independently holds client assets and does not engage third-party custodians. Users perform transactions themselves. BBVA does not provide investment advice. ”We want to make it easier for our retail customers in Spain to invest in crypto assets with a simple solution on their cell phones,” said BBVA's head of retail banking in Spain, Gonzalo Rodriguez. The service is compliant with the European MiCA regulation. BBVA previously launched similar services in Switzerland and Turkey through a subsidiary—in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Spain is the third market where the bank has launched this service, and the first where it is targeted directly at retail customers. Head of digital assets Francisco Maroto said BBVA will continue to develop business in this area. The bank plans to add new cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and real-world tokenized assets (RWA), such as bonds and ETFs, in the future. Other Major Banks Integrating Crypto Services BBVA is not alone in embracing digital assets. Major banks like JPMorgan Chase and Standard Chartered have also integrated cryptocurrency services, offering trading, custody, and blockchain-based solutions to their clients. This growing trend reflects the increasing demand for regulated crypto access within traditional banking, signaling a shift in the financial industry toward broader digital asset adoption.
