Belgium’s KBC Breaks New Ground With MiCA-Aligned Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading

TLDR

• KBC will launch Bitcoin and Ethereum trading on Bolero under MiCA rules
• Belgium’s MiCA law took effect in January 2026 after prolonged delays
• KBC uses in-house custody to meet MiCA compliance and oversight standards
• FSMA and NBB now supervise crypto services under Belgium’s MiCA regime
• The launch signals growing readiness for regulated crypto across Europe

Belgium entered a new phase of digital asset regulation as KBC prepared to introduce Bitcoin and Ethereum trading under the MiCA framework. The bank set a February launch date and positioned the service within its existing Bolero platform. The move marked a decisive shift as MiCA reshaped how European firms structure compliant crypto trading activities.

KBC Expands Retail Access to Bitcoin Trading

KBC advanced its strategy by confirming the introduction of Bitcoin trading for retail clients through its proprietary platform. The bank integrated the service into Bolero and aimed to present a regulated environment aligned with MiCA. The rollout targeted customers already familiar with traditional products and now seeking direct access to digital assets.

The institution relied on its internal custodial setup and structured its systems to meet emerging MiCA standards. KBC submitted a crypto asset service provider notification as required under the incoming regime. The bank positioned itself as an early participant as Belgium formalized its national MiCA procedures.

The announcement arrived after earlier plans stalled due to regulatory delays across 2025. Belgium adopted its MiCA implementation law only in December 2025 and enforced it in January 2026. KBC acted as soon as the legal basis took effect and aligned its infrastructure accordingly.

Ethereum Trading Strengthens KBC’s Digital Asset Strategy

KBC confirmed that Ethereum trading will accompany Bitcoin within the same launch window. The bank integrated both assets into a unified interface while maintaining full separation across custody layers. The approach supported MiCA expectations for structured oversight and controlled asset handling.

The Ethereum service extended KBC’s broader digital asset agenda and strengthened its positioning under Europe’s new rules. The bank emphasized regulatory consistency because MiCA now shapes operational standards for trading platforms across the bloc. KBC framed the expansion as part of a larger plan to modernize retail access to alternative products.

Belgium’s supervisory bodies, the FSMA and the NBB, assumed responsibility for monitoring MiCA activity from January 2026. Both authorities now guide how institutions introduce services such as Bitcoin and Ethereum trading. KBC entered the market at a moment when regulatory clarity increased and operational frameworks solidified.

MiCA Implementation Reshapes Belgium’s Role in Europe

Belgium’s slow adoption of MiCA created a backlog that firms prepared to navigate once national rules became active. The new law resolved this delay and confirmed the oversight roles of the FSMA and the NBB. Moreover, the updated structure aligned Belgium with the wider European system as discussions continued on stronger centralization.

Debate persisted across the European Union as policymakers weighed assigning more authority to ESMA under MiCA. Some member states supported stronger union-level supervision to prevent fragmented national processes. Others warned that excessive consolidation might limit competition within smaller markets.

KBC’s launch occurred as these discussions intensified and as Europe sought consistent MiCA enforcement across jurisdictions. The development also highlighted ongoing concerns around licensing timing because ESMA had not yet listed Belgian approvals. KBC moved forward under transitional procedures and signaled broader market readiness for regulated crypto activity.

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