French Bank BPCE to Offer In-App Bitcoin Trading for Millions of Customers

• Initial Launch: BPCE’s Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne apps enable BTC, ETH, SOL, and USDC trading for select customers.

• Rolled out to four regional banks first, reaching about 2 million users with plans for full expansion.

• Service includes a 2.99 euro monthly fee and 1.5% trade commission, managed by subsidiary Hexarq for secure in-app access.

Discover how BPCE crypto trading revolutionizes access to digital assets for French retail customers. Learn about fees, supported coins, and regulatory context in this comprehensive guide. Stay ahead in crypto—explore now!

What is BPCE Crypto Trading and How Does It Work?

BPCE crypto trading is a new service from French banking group BPCE that enables retail customers to buy and sell major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), and USDC directly within its mobile banking apps. Launched through subsidiaries Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne, it starts with four regional banks serving approximately 2 million customers on Monday, with a gradual rollout to the full 12 million retail base by 2026. This initiative, managed by BPCE’s crypto arm Hexarq, eliminates the need for external exchanges, offering a secure, integrated experience amid Europe’s growing digital asset adoption.

How Will BPCE Crypto Trading Fees and Accounts Be Structured?

The BPCE crypto trading service features dedicated digital asset accounts within the banking apps, overseen by Hexarq for custody and transactions. Users pay a monthly fee of 2.99 euros (about $3.48) for access, plus a 1.5% commission per trade with a minimum of 1.07 euros ($1.16). This structure supports seamless purchases and sales of BTC, ETH, SOL, and USDC without third-party involvement, as confirmed by reports from The Big Whale. A bank insider noted that the phased launch helps monitor performance before wider scaling, ensuring reliability for users. With competition from fintechs like Revolut and Trade Republic intensifying, BPCE’s fees position it competitively, though they exceed some low-cost alternatives. Data from similar European services shows average commissions hovering around 1-2%, underscoring BPCE’s alignment with industry norms. Expert analysts, such as those from financial consultancy firms, highlight this as a step toward mainstreaming crypto while maintaining regulatory compliance.

BPCE to offer crypto trading. Source: Raphaël Bloch

French banking heavyweight BPCE is preparing to introduce crypto trading to millions of its retail customers, making it one of the first major traditional European banks to offer digital assets in this integrated manner.

The initial rollout targets clients of four regional banks, including Banque Populaire Île-de-France and Caisse d’Épargne Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, reaching roughly 2 million customers. BPCE plans to extend the service gradually across its remaining 25 regional entities through 2026, ultimately making crypto trading available to its full 12-million-strong retail base.

The phased approach is intended to monitor how the service performs at launch before scaling, according to insights from a bank insider shared via The Big Whale.

BPCE’s move comes as competition intensifies across Europe between traditional banks and crypto-friendly fintechs such as Revolut, Deblock, Bitstack, and Trade Republic, all of which are offering access to digital assets.

Several European institutions have taken similar steps. For instance, BBVA allows Spanish customers to buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin and Ether directly within its app, backed by in-house custody. Santander’s digital arm Openbank offers trading and custody for five cryptocurrencies, while Raiffeisen Bank’s Vienna-based unit partnered with Bitpanda to bring crypto services to its retail clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cryptocurrencies can BPCE customers trade starting in 2025?

BPCE crypto trading initially supports Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), and USDC (USDC). These selections cover major market caps and stablecoins, allowing users to diversify within the app. The service focuses on liquid assets to ensure smooth transactions, with potential expansions based on demand and regulatory approvals.

Is BPCE crypto trading available to all French bank customers right away?

No, the BPCE crypto trading rollout begins with four regional banks serving about 2 million customers on Monday, expanding to all 12 million retail users by 2026. This gradual approach allows for testing and adjustments, ensuring a stable user experience as digital assets integrate into everyday banking.

Key Takeaways

• Seamless Integration: BPCE crypto trading embeds BTC, ETH, SOL, and USDC buying/selling into mobile apps, removing barriers for traditional bank users.
• Phased Expansion: Starting with 2 million customers in four regions, the service scales to 12 million by 2026, prioritizing performance monitoring.
• Fee Structure Insight: At 2.99 euros monthly plus 1.5% per trade, it offers competitive access; users should compare with fintech options for cost efficiency.

Conclusion

BPCE crypto trading marks a pivotal moment for BPCE crypto trading in France, enabling millions to engage with Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and USDC through familiar banking interfaces. As European banks like BBVA and Santander advance similar offerings, this trend signals broader adoption of digital assets in regulated environments. Meanwhile, proposed French wealth tax changes targeting unproductive assets, including crypto, underscore evolving fiscal policies. Looking ahead, BPCE’s initiative could accelerate mainstream crypto integration—customers are encouraged to review app updates and consult financial advisors for personalized strategies.

Last month, French lawmakers narrowly approved an amendment that would extend the country’s wealth tax to cover “unproductive assets,” including certain real estate, luxury items, and digital assets such as crypto.

Under the amendment, individuals holding more than 2.1 million euros ($2.3 million) in qualifying “unproductive wealth” would face a new flat 1% tax, a shift from today’s progressive real estate wealth tax. The expanded taxable base includes digital assets. The proposal must still pass the Senate as part of the 2026 budget process before becoming law.