KBC Bank, one of Belgium’s largest financial institutions, plans to offer retail crypto access for Bitcoin and Ether through its Bolero platform. The launch depends on regulatory approval expected in autumn 2025.
Once approved, the bank will allow clients to invest in cryptocurrency under a regulated framework focused on security and education.
KBC Bank would be the first major Belgian bank to directly support cryptocurrency investments for retail users. Currently, most Belgians use foreign exchanges or investment apps.
Bolero Platform Will Support Retail Crypto Access
The Bolero platform, owned by KBC Bank, will integrate Bitcoin and Ether into its existing investment interface. Users will manage digital assets alongside their traditional investments, without using third-party exchanges.
KBC said the platform will include risk guidance and protection tools. Security and regulatory compliance remain core to the offering. The new crypto access will use the same Bolero structure already familiar to existing clients.
KBC Bank Could Lead Belgium’s Institutional Crypto Entry
According to L’Echo, KBC Bank is the first large Belgian bank to publicly announce crypto plans for retail investors. No other local institutions have applied for CASP status to support direct cryptocurrency investments.
Belgian investors currently rely on exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and OKX. KBC’s entry into the sector may bring more regulated options within the country, aligned with Belgium’s implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.
European Banks Expand Crypto Services Ahead of MiCA Enforcement
The KBC Bank move follows a growing trend in Europe. Deutsche Bank and Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe in Germany are preparing similar crypto services. Spain’s BBVA has already advised high-net-worth clients to allocate up to 7% of their portfolios into Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
In May 2025, Stripe President John Collison said the company was in talks with multiple banks exploring stablecoin applications. That statement reflected ongoing interest from traditional finance in regulated digital assets.
KBC’s plan remains subject to CASP registration. The process is underway, with recognition expected later this year. Once granted, the bank will activate Bitcoin and Ether trading features on Bolero.
The upcoming service will operate under EU and Belgian law, using internal infrastructure to manage crypto assets. The bank will provide further updates following the outcome of its CASP application.
