TechFlow, July 7 — According to The Fintech Times, Spanish banking group BBVA has officially launched Bitcoin and Ethereum trading and custody services for retail customers in Spain. Fully integrated within the BBVA mobile application, the service allows clients to independently buy, sell, and hold crypto assets without relying on third-party platforms. BBVA uses its own custody infrastructure, ensuring direct control over asset security. This launch complies with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), marking BBVA’s entry into digital asset services in a third market following Switzerland in 2021 and Turkey in 2023, and represents the first time the bank offers such services to retail clients in its core market. Gonzalo Rodríguez, Head of Retail Banking at BBVA, said the bank aims to provide simple and user-friendly digital solutions that support customers in exploring the digital asset space. BBVA plans to expand its offering with additional crypto assets and tokenized products in the future.
Earlier reports indicated that with the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) coming into effect at the end of last year, traditional banks have begun turning attention to the crypto market. The regulation creates conditions for banks to offer cryptocurrency custody and sales services. BBVA had previously announced it would roll out Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) trading services via its mobile app later this year.
