BPCE Launches In-App Crypto Trading for French Customers

French Banking Giant BPCE Expands into Crypto Trading

French banking firm BPCE has made a significant move by announcing plans to introduce cryptocurrency trading for millions of its retail customers. According to recent reports, the banking group will allow users to buy and sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana directly within its Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne mobile applications starting on Monday.

This development marks BPCE as one of the first major traditional European banks to offer digital assets to its customers. The initial rollout is expected to cover BPCE clients from four regional banks, including Banque Populaire Île-de-France and Caisse d’Épargne Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, reaching approximately two million customers. BPCE aims to gradually expand the service in the coming year, with plans to extend it to all 25 regional entities by 2026.

In-App Crypto Trading Services

The motive behind this initiative is to enable crypto trading for BPCE’s full 12 million customers. A bank source mentioned that the phased approach is intended to monitor how the service performs at launch before scaling up.

Crypto sales and purchases will be handled through a dedicated digital asset account within the banking apps. This account is expected to be managed by Hexard, a crypto subsidiary of BPCE. Users who wish to sign up for an account must be aware of the $3.48 monthly fee and a 1.5% commission per trade, with a minimum of $1.16.

Additionally, the platform will be accessible to users without the need for an external exchange or third-party wallets. This development comes amid growing competition between traditional banks and crypto-friendly fintechs such as Revolut, deBlock, Trade Republic, and Bitstack, which currently offer access to crypto.

Other European Banks Follow Suit

Several European firms have also taken similar steps. For example, BBVA allows its Spanish client base to buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin and Ethereum directly within its applications. According to the firm, the custody is handled in-house and not outsourced to third parties. The integration was necessary to allow users with existing BBVA accounts to move funds easily on their mobile application, which supports only trading and storage services.

Santander’s digital arm, Openbank, also offers trading and custody for five digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, and Cardano. Santander claimed that the service, rolled out for German clients, integrates crypto alongside usual investment products offered by Openbank, removing the need for third-party platforms while operating under the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework.

Raiffeisen Bank’s Vienna-based unit also partnered with Bitpanda to bring crypto services to its clients. A spokesperson for the bank stated that customer demand for easy, intuitive digital investment platforms prompted these efforts, which they are excited to bring to market.

France's New Tax on Crypto Assets

Meanwhile, France has moved forward with its decision to tax crypto as unproductive wealth. Last month, lawmakers approved an amendment that would update the country’s wealth tax to include certain real estate, luxury items, and digital assets like crypto.

Under the amendment, users holding more than $2.3 million in unproductive wealth will face a 1% tax, replacing the current progressive real estate wealth tax. Eric Larchevêque, co-founder of crypto wallet Ledger, noted that this amendment could punish savers who wish to financially anchor themselves to Bitcoin or gold. He added that crypto holders may be required to sell their assets to pay tax if there are no other liquid assets.

However, the proposal is not yet set in stone and needs to pass as part of the 2026 budget process before becoming law.

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