KBC, one of Belgium's largest banks, will launch Bitcoin and Ether trading for retail customers on February 16. The bank announced it would offer crypto trading through its Bolero investment platform. The service operates under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation framework.
KBC customers will buy and sell digital assets through the bank's proprietary custodial system. The bank claims it submitted a full crypto asset service provider notification to Belgian authorities. KBC's chief innovation officer Erik Luts stated the service makes innovation accessible within a regulated framework. The bank initially announced these plans in July 2025.
Regulatory Landscape and MiCA Implementation
Belgium only recently implemented MiCA regulations. The country published its implementing law in December 2025. The framework became legally effective on January 3, 2026. Despite KBC's claims of MiCA compliance, no Belgian licenses appear on the European Securities and Markets Authority register. The Financial Services and Markets Authority and National Bank of Belgium oversee crypto assets in the country.
Significance of Retail Access Through Banks
Traditional financial institutions offering crypto services provides several advantages for everyday investors. Banks offer familiar interfaces that reduce barriers to entry. Regulatory oversight through MiCA creates investor protections not available on unregulated platforms. KBC's move follows similar initiatives by other European banks expanding into digital assets.
Germany's DZ Bank recently secured MiCA approval for its retail crypto platform. DZ Bank received authorization from BaFin in late December 2025. The German bank serves over 700 cooperative institutions. More than 71% of German cooperative banks expressed interest in offering crypto services to retail customers.
Countries establishing regulatory frameworks for digital assets face pressure from multiple directions. Governments worldwide are building Bitcoin reserves as institutions recognize crypto's role in financial systems. Belgium's delayed implementation reflects ongoing debates about centralized versus national oversight. France has proposed giving ESMA direct authority over major crypto firms.
Traditional Banking's Embrace of Digital Asset Infrastructure
European banks are rapidly expanding crypto offerings under MiCA's regulatory clarity. The ESMA register shows 102 crypto asset service providers now operate across the EU. BBVA reports that 12 of these registered providers are credit institutions. Major Spanish banks BBVA and Santander launched crypto trading for millions of retail customers in 2025.
MiCA's full implementation since December 2024 created standardized rules for digital asset services. The framework requires stablecoin issuers to maintain full reserve backing. Service providers must meet capital requirements and governance standards. Some EU member states oppose centralized supervision, arguing it could reduce competitiveness.
France has warned about blocking MiCA licenses from jurisdictions with lenient standards. Malta opposes centralization that might hinder innovation. Belgium's position remains unclear as it begins licensing. KBC's February launch will test how Belgian authorities balance consumer protection with market development.
Nine major European banks formed a consortium to issue a MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin. The group includes ING, UniCredit, Danske Bank, and KBC among others. The stablecoin targets launch in the second half of 2026. European institutions are responding to US dollar-denominated stablecoins that control 99% of global market share.
Traditional banks entering crypto signals the industry's maturation beyond specialized exchanges. Regulated custody services attract investors who avoided unregulated platforms. Banks integrate crypto alongside traditional assets in existing apps. This approach targets users seeking exposure without managing private keys or navigating complex interfaces.