French banking group BPCE is preparing to introduce in-app crypto trading to millions of its customers, marking one of the most significant steps by a traditional European bank toward mainstream digital asset adoption. The initiative positions BPCE as a direct competitor to fintech platforms that have dominated Europe’s retail crypto market.

According to reporting from The Big Whale, users of Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne will be able to buy and sell Bitcoin directly inside their mobile banking apps beginning Monday. The launch will initially cover customers of four regional banks, including Banque Populaire Île-de-France and Caisse d’Épargne Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, giving about two million clients immediate access to crypto services.

BPCE plans a gradual rollout across 2026 to extend the feature to all 12 million retail customers in its network. A bank insider told The Big Whale that the phased strategy allows the institution to monitor early demand and adjust the service as needed before national expansion.

BPCE introduces paid digital asset accounts

The new crypto feature will operate through a dedicated digital asset account inside the mobile app, managed by Hexarq, the bank’s crypto subsidiary. Customers will pay a fixed monthly fee of 2.99 euros and a 1.5 percent trading commission, with a minimum fee of 1.16 dollars per transaction.

Because everything happens inside the banking app, users will not need external exchanges or third-party wallets. This setup gives BPCE a regulated, closed ecosystem where custody, trading and account management remain within the bank’s infrastructure.

The move signals a shift in Europe’s banking sector, where competition has intensified between traditional financial institutions and digital-first platforms. Fintech companies including Revolut, Deblock, Bitstack and Trade Republic already offer retail crypto trading across European markets.

Several European banks have also taken steps into digital assets.
Examples include:

• BBVA, which allows Spanish users to buy and hold Bitcoin and Ether in-app
• Santander’s Openbank, which provides trading for multiple cryptocurrencies
• Raiffeisen Bank, which partnered with Bitpanda for retail crypto services

BPCE has not yet responded to Cointelegraph’s request for comment.

Regulatory backdrop for BPCE’s crypto plans

France continues to tighten oversight of digital assets. Lawmakers recently approved an amendment expanding the country’s wealth tax to include “unproductive assets,” a category that covers specific real estate, luxury items and certain crypto holdings.

The introduction of regulated crypto trading inside BPCE apps aligns with Europe’s broader push toward compliant, transparent digital asset services as MiCA rules begin phasing in across the European Union.

Conclusion

The launch of in-app crypto trading by BPCE represents a significant development for Europe’s retail banking sector. By integrating Bitcoin trading directly into mainstream banking apps, BPCE is offering a regulated alternative to fintech competitors while preparing its 12 million customers for a future in which digital assets are standard financial products.

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