Key Takeaways
- Bunq has introduced in-app trading for over 300 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- The service, developed with Kraken, is live in six countries: Netherlands, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy, and Belgium.
- The bank plans to expand into the EEA, UK, and US, pending regulatory approval.
- Bunq joins other European players like Revolut, BBVA, and N26 in integrating crypto services.
- The rollout aligns with the upcoming MiCA regulation, which aims to standardize crypto oversight across the EU.
Dutch neobank ‘Bunq’ has announced the launch of in-app cryptocurrency trading, enabling users across six European nations to engage with over 300 digital assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Crypto Trading Launches in Six Countries, Further Expansion Planned
The new feature, developed in collaboration with U.S.-based exchange Kraken, is currently available to users in the Netherlands, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy, and Belgium, with plans to expand across the European Economic Area, as well as into the United Kingdom and the United States, pending regulatory approval.
Part of a Broader Institutional Shift Toward Digital Assets
Bunq’s move into crypto puts it in the company of several European banks already exploring digital assets. Revolut was one of the earliest, adding in-app crypto trading back in 2017.
Earlier this year, Spain’s BBVA received the green light to offer Bitcoin and Ether trading to retail clients, a notable shift for a traditional multinational lender. N26, the German fintech, has also been building out its crypto features, aiming to keep users more engaged by bringing digital assets into its everyday banking experience.
Smaller European Banks Continue Building Crypto Infrastructure
Beyond these major players, a number of smaller European banks are actively building comprehensive cryptocurrency infrastructures. These include Switzerland’s SEBA Bank, Germany’s SolarisBank, Liechtenstein’s Bank Frick, Lithuania’s Bankera, and the UK-based Clear Junction. These institutions offer a range of services, encompassing crypto custody, institutional trading desks, and fiat-to-crypto conversion capabilities.
MiCA Regulation Expected to Accelerate Crypto Integration
Bunq’s rollout of crypto trading comes as the European Union prepares to implement its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation in 2025—a framework that will introduce unified rules for digital assets across all member states. The added regulatory clarity is expected to give banks like Bunq a more predictable environment to scale their crypto offerings within the traditional financial system.
