BPCE to Offer Bitcoin and Major Tokens

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France’s second-largest banking group, BPCE, will begin allowing customers to buy Bitcoin and other major digital assets directly through its banking apps starting Monday. The move marks a significant development for the French banking sector, as one of the country’s largest traditional financial institutions takes a direct step into retail digital asset services under a regulated framework.

The rollout will begin with a limited number of regional banks and is expected to expand across the group over the next two years. The service will allow customers to buy, sell, and hold selected cryptocurrencies within their existing banking environment.

Initial Rollout Targets Two Million Customers

According to a report by The Big Whale, BPCE will initially offer the service through four of its 29 regional banking entities, reaching roughly two million customers in the first phase.

Among the first participating institutions are Banque Populaire Île-de-France and Caisse d’Épargne Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. These banks represent two of the group’s most prominent regional networks and will serve as the testing ground for the new digital asset offering.

The broader expansion to BPCE’s remaining regional banks is planned to unfold through 2026, with the group closely monitoring early performance, customer adoption, and operational stability before scaling the service nationwide.

Bitcoin and Major Tokens Supported at Launch

At launch, customers will be able to buy and sell Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and the USDC stablecoin. All transactions will take place directly inside BPCE’s existing mobile banking applications through a dedicated digital asset account.

This account will carry a monthly fee of €2.99, with a trading fee set at 1.5 percent per transaction. The structure allows customers to access digital assets without transferring funds to external platforms, keeping all activity within the bank’s controlled environment.

The inclusion of both volatile cryptocurrencies and a dollar-pegged stablecoin reflects BPCE’s approach to offering a limited but diversified selection of assets as it enters the retail crypto market.

Hexarq Leads BPCE’s Digital Asset Operations

Account operations and technical management will be handled by Hexarq, BPCE’s dedicated crypto subsidiary. The unit secured PSAN authorization nearly a year ago, allowing it to legally provide digital asset services under France’s regulatory framework.

Hexarq’s authorization laid the foundation for BPCE’s current rollout and represents the regulatory backbone of the group’s digital asset strategy. With that approval in place, the subsidiary will now oversee custody, transaction processing, and operational controls for the new service.

BPCE had maintained a relatively low profile in digital assets prior to Hexarq’s regulatory approval. The current launch signals a transition from exploratory activity to direct consumer-facing services.

Fees and Access Structured Within Existing Apps

By embedding the service within its existing mobile infrastructure, BPCE is positioning digital asset access alongside traditional banking functions such as payments, savings, and investments. This approach reflects a broader industry trend of integrating crypto services into established financial platforms rather than treating them as standalone products.

The pricing structure places BPCE’s offering within the typical range for regulated European banks that have begun introducing similar services.

A Broader Shift in French Banking Toward Digital Assets

The gradual rollout of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, known as MiCA, has provided clearer rules for banks and service providers.

France has already attracted major international crypto firms under its updated regulatory regime, and domestic institutions are now moving more actively into the sector. BPCE’s decision to offer direct crypto purchases reflects this changing regulatory and competitive environment.

Traditional banks have historically taken a cautious approach to crypto-related services. BPCE’s phased rollout highlights the balance institutions are seeking between innovation and risk control as the market matures.

Why the Phased Rollout Matters

Rather than launching nationwide at once, BPCE has chosen a staged deployment. This allows the group to evaluate operational performance, customer behavior, and compliance processes in a controlled setting.

The initial two million potential users provide a large enough sample to assess demand while limiting exposure during the early phase. Feedback from these customers will likely inform adjustments to pricing, user experience, asset selection, and risk management before broader expansion.

This approach reflects how large financial institutions typically introduce new services that carry regulatory, technical, and reputational considerations.

Custody and Compliance Remain Central

By offering crypto services directly within its own apps and under its licensed subsidiary, BPCE keeps full control over custody and compliance. Customers will not be required to manage private keys independently or transfer assets to unregulated platforms.

The model aligns with how most European banks entering digital assets are structuring their offerings. Custody, transaction monitoring, and account management remain within regulated banking systems, reducing exposure to operational and counterparty risk.

This framework also allows banks to apply existing controls related to anti-money laundering, fraud detection, and customer verification.

Impact on Customer Behavior

For retail customers, the ability to buy Bitcoin and other tokens directly through a familiar banking app lowers the technical barrier that has traditionally kept many people out of the crypto market. Users no longer need to create separate accounts on external platforms or learn new interfaces.

The integration into mainstream banking apps may also influence how customers perceive digital assets. Instead of being viewed solely as speculative instruments tied to specialized exchanges, cryptocurrencies become another asset class accessible alongside savings and investments.

This shift has the potential to broaden participation, particularly among customers who prefer to keep all financial activity within regulated institutions.

Position Within the Fintech Ecosystem

BPCE’s entry into retail crypto trading places it squarely within a segment that has until now been dominated by specialized platforms. The move also illustrates how the boundary between traditional banking and fintech services continues to narrow.

Digital asset integration inside large banking apps mirrors developments seen across Europe, where banks are increasingly adopting features once associated only with specialized digital platforms. BPCE’s rollout represents another step in that convergence.

While specialized platforms still offer broader asset selection and advanced trading tools, banks are targeting customers who prioritize security, regulatory oversight, and convenience.

Competitive Implications for French Banks

BPCE’s decision may place pressure on other major French banking groups to accelerate their own digital asset strategies. As one of the country’s largest institutions begins offering direct crypto access, customer expectations across the market may shift.

Banks that do not provide similar functionality could face questions from clients interested in holding or trading digital assets within a regulated environment. At the same time, institutions will weigh those expectations against the operational complexity and regulatory responsibilities involved.

The phased nature of BPCE’s rollout allows competitors to observe how the service performs before making similar commitments.

France’s Role in Europe’s Digital Asset Regulation

France has positioned itself as an early mover in establishing clear regulatory pathways for digital asset services. The PSAN framework laid the groundwork for firms like Hexarq to operate legally, while MiCA is now aligning standards across the European Union.

This regulatory clarity has encouraged both domestic banks and international crypto firms to expand operations within France. BPCE’s launch fits within this broader national strategy of combining innovation with regulatory oversight.

As MiCA continues to take effect across Europe, other large banking groups are expected to revisit their digital asset policies.

Risk Management Remains Under Scrutiny

Despite growing adoption, crypto assets remain volatile and subject to rapid price swings. By offering only a small selection of major tokens at launch, BPCE is limiting exposure while giving customers access to assets with relatively higher liquidity and market recognition.

The presence of USDC adds a stablecoin option for customers who seek price stability within the digital asset market. How customers actually use these options will be closely watched during the initial rollout.

Risk management systems, transaction monitoring, and customer education will all play a central role as the service expands.

What Customers Should Expect Next

For now, access is limited to customers of the participating regional banks. As the rollout progresses, additional regions will be added gradually, with full national coverage targeted for 2026.

Customers in the initial group will be the first to experience the new service, and their usage patterns will likely shape how the platform evolves. Any expansion in supported assets, changes in fees, or additional features will depend on the results of this early phase.

BPCE has not announced specific plans beyond the current phased expansion and asset lineup.

Looking Ahead

BPCE’s entry into retail crypto trading marks a notable development in the relationship between traditional banking and digital assets in France. By allowing customers to buy Bitcoin and other major tokens directly through its apps, the group is bringing crypto services deeper into mainstream finance under a regulated framework.

The phased rollout, led by Hexarq’s licensed infrastructure, reflects a cautious but deliberate approach. As France continues to advance its digital asset regulation and attract international players, the performance of BPCE’s initiative will be closely observed by other banks across Europe.

For now, the launch signals that digital assets are moving further into everyday banking, shifting from the margins toward the core of regulated financial services.