KBC Bank Becomes First To Enable Bitcoin and Ether Trading In Belgium

• KBC Bank launches Bitcoin and Ethereum trading on February 16 through the Bolero platform.
• Belgium’s second-largest lender becomes the first bank offering MiCA-regulated crypto.
• DZ Bank in Germany recently started similar services with four cryptocurrency pairs.

Belgium’s KBC Bank will launch cryptocurrency trading services on February 16, 2026, becoming the country’s first banking institution to offer regulated digital asset access. The second-largest Belgian lender, with more than $300 billion in assets under management, serves approximately 4 million customers who will gain access to Bitcoin and Ethereum trading.

KBC announced the initiative on January 15, stating the Bolero Investment platform will serve as the interface for cryptocurrency transactions. The bank operates under the Markets in Crypto Assets regulation, the European Union’s comprehensive framework governing digital asset service providers across member states.

First Belgian Bank Offering MiCA-compliant Crypto

 “By offering the opportunity to purchase and sell crypto within a regulated framework, we are making innovation concrete and accessible,” said KBC Group chief innovation officer Erik Luts.

The Bolero platform integration aims to provide a clear and user-friendly experience for retail investors entering cryptocurrency markets. KBC positions the service as removing barriers that previously prevented traditional banking clients from accessing digital assets through familiar financial interfaces.

MiCA regulation serves as the legal foundation enabling KBC’s crypto offering. The framework establishes uniform rules across European Union member states for cryptocurrency service providers, creating regulatory clarity that was previously absent. This standardization allows banks to offer digital asset services without navigating conflicting national requirements.

European Banks Accelerate Crypto Integration under MiCA

KBC’s announcement follows similar moves by other European banking institutions. DZ Bank, Germany’s second-largest lender with more than €660 billion in assets under management, began offering cryptocurrency trading services earlier in January 2026. BaFin authorized DZ Bank’s meinKrypto platform to provide trading across Europe for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Litecoin.

The pattern suggests MiCA regulation is catalyzing mainstream digital asset adoption by both retail and institutional investors across Europe. Banks previously hesitant to enter cryptocurrency markets now possess regulatory clarity, enabling service launches.

Rising adoption by financial institutions across Europe could provide liquidity supporting anticipated market growth in 2026. Traditional banking infrastructure integration makes digital assets accessible to customers who previously lacked exchange accounts or the technical knowledge required for self-custody solutions.

KBC Group trades on Euronext Brussels under the ticker symbol KBC. The February 16 launch date gives the bank approximately one month to finalize technical infrastructure and compliance procedures before customer access begins.

Related: U.S. Senate Delays CLARITY Act Markup After Coinbase Withdraws