BBVA Launches Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) Trading for Spanish Customers

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) has secured approval from the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores to offer Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether trading services.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) has obtained approval from the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores to provide Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether trading services.

This decision permits BBVA to introduce crypto services to customers in Spain.

Crypto Trading Available Now on BBVA’s Mobile App

On Friday, BBVA announced that it would be launching cryptocurrency services in Spain. The bank will be offering its customers the ability to trade Bitcoin and Ether via its mobile application.

To store cryptographic keys, the bank has built its own custody system, granting it direct control over customer assets without third-party involvement.

Initially, the service will be available to a limited group of users. Over the next few months, BBVA plans to expand access to all private banking customers throughout the country.

BBVA First Entered Crypto in Switzerland

In 2021, BBVA’s Swiss branch began offering private banking clients in the country with BTC trading and custody services. The Swiss branch later expanded its offerings to include private banking clients in the country with BTC trading and custody services.

In January 2025, BBVA’s Turkish subsidiary, Garanti BBVA Kripto, introduced crypto trading services to the public. With the addition of Spain, the bank is gradually expanding its digital asset services across Europe.

Financial Institutions Adjust to MiCA Regulations

This approval comes as European banks and crypto firms are working to comply with Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).

MiCA came into full effect immediately after the end of 2024, with companies having until July 2026 to meet the new regulations. Since MiCA’s implementation, several banks and exchanges have moved to secure regulatory approval.

In December 2024, prime brokerage Hidden Road obtained a MiCA license in the Netherlands. Afterward, Standard Chartered received approval in Luxembourg, and Boerse Stuttgart Digital Custody became Germany’s first crypto provider to gain a MiCA license.

Crypto exchanges have also begun adjusting to the new regulations. OKX, Crypto.com, and HashKey all secured MiCA approval in January 2025. Afterward, Bybit, which was previously blacklisted in France, announced plans to apply for a license in the country.

BBVA Strengthens Its Position in Digital Finance

The introduction of cryptocurrency services in Spain marks a broader move by traditional banks to offer digital asset options. A spokesperson for BBVA stated that they are providing their customers with secure access to digital assets within a regulated framework.

Integrating crypto trading into its banking app provides a familiar platform for customers to manage both digital and traditional assets in one place. The bank’s decision to handle custody internally adds another layer of security for users.

With the inclusion of Spain in its crypto expansion, BBVA continues to position itself among the financial institutions adapting to the growing demand for digital assets. The phased rollout is expected to bring cryptocurrency trading to more customers in the coming months.