KBC Bank Pioneers Crypto Trading in Belgium: First Bank to Offer Bitcoin and Ethereum for Retail Investors

Belgium’s second-largest bank, KBC Group, has announced a groundbreaking step into the digital asset space. Starting the week of February 16, 2026, retail clients will gain access to spot trading of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) directly through the bank’s popular online investment platform, Bolero.

This positions KBC as the pioneering Belgian financial institution to provide regulated cryptocurrency trading services to everyday investors, marking a significant milestone in the integration of traditional banking with digital assets under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.

Secure and User-Friendly Crypto Access via Bolero

KBC will handle custody through its proprietary solution, ensuring assets remain secure within the bank’s ecosystem. The service adopts a closed-loop system — meaning users can buy and sell cryptocurrencies exclusively on the Bolero platform, with no option to transfer holdings to external wallets or third-party exchanges.

To prioritize investor protection, the bank requires clients to complete a mandatory knowledge and experience assessment before trading. This evaluates understanding of crypto risks, such as extreme price volatility and potential for total loss. Bolero operates on an execution-only model, offering no personalized investment advice — users retain full control over decisions.

Educational resources will roll out via the Bolero Academy to guide self-directed investors. KBC highlights strong demand, noting that approximately 45% of Belgians in their thirties already engage with cryptocurrencies, and “Bitcoin” consistently ranks among top search terms on the platform (with 60% of Bolero users under 40).

Erik Luts, Chief Innovation Officer at KBC Group, emphasized the strategic vision:

“By enabling crypto purchases and sales in a fully regulated setting, we bring tangible innovation within reach while reinforcing our leadership in a fast-evolving landscape.”

The bank has submitted a comprehensive Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) notification to Belgian supervisors, aligning operations with MiCA standards for consumer safeguards, asset segregation, cybersecurity, and market integrity.

Belgium’s MiCA Implementation and EU-Wide Context

MiCA took full effect across the EU in late 2025, but Belgium finalized its national implementing legislation in December 2025, with the regime becoming operational on January 3, 2026. Oversight now falls to the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) and the National Bank of Belgium (NBB).

As of mid-January 2026, no full MiCA licenses have appeared in the ESMA public register, reflecting a transitional phase where providers like KBC proceed via notifications while formal authorizations develop.

This cautious rollout mirrors ongoing EU discussions on supervisory structure. France has pushed for stronger centralized oversight by ESMA over large firms and expressed readiness to restrict licenses from jurisdictions with perceived lax standards. In contrast, Malta and others resist greater centralization, arguing it could undermine competition and innovation in smaller markets.

KBC’s initiative follows similar advancements elsewhere in Europe, such as Germany’s DZ Bank launching regulated crypto services earlier in 2026.

This development signals accelerating mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies through trusted banking channels, potentially enhancing liquidity and accessibility for retail participants while emphasizing robust risk management.