Haciyev Reşit 
A major development has taken place in the European finance world. BPCE, one of France’s largest banking groups, has officially announced a new service that will allow customers to directly buy and sell cryptocurrencies. This decision is seen as a tangible example of how traditional financial institutions are shifting their stance toward digital assets.
BPCE Launches Crypto Services: 4 Branches Targeted in the First Phase
Starting Monday, the French banking giant BPCE will enable its customers to purchase Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and USD Coin (USDC). In the initial phase, the service will be available in only 4 of the group’s 29 branches. However, these 4 branches represent approximately 2 million of BPCE’s total customer base of more than 12 million. This shows that the bank aims to test the pilot program on a large segment of its customer base.
BPCE’s move highlights that the number of major European banks offering crypto services is steadily increasing. As digital assets become more mainstream, banks are adapting their infrastructure to this growing demand.
Why Is This Crypto Offering Important?
BPCE’s decision to offer crypto trading is not just a technological upgrade—it is also a response to changing customer expectations in the financial sector. In recent years, the popularity of digital assets among both retail and institutional investors has pushed large banks to enter the market.
Clear regulatory frameworks introduced by French authorities, along with the implementation of the EU’s MiCA regulations, have reduced banks’ hesitations about offering crypto services. BPCE aims to leverage this regulatory foundation to provide customers with innovative financial products.
What Does It Mean for the Industry?
BPCE’s launch of crypto services could signal a broader shift across the European banking sector. While some major banks have offered limited crypto trading solutions in recent years, BPCE’s decision to provide direct access to customers suggests that competition is set to intensify. Additionally, enabling crypto transactions through a bank-controlled channel creates an important alternative for users concerned about security. Transactions conducted under the bank’s supervision could help new users adopt crypto more quickly.
BPCE stated:
“Digital assets are becoming an integral part of the financial world. We aim to provide our customers with access to this evolving economy in a secure and regulated environment.”
Assessment
BPCE’s introduction of crypto trading highlights the accelerating adoption of digital assets within the European banking sector. The bank’s pilot program may expand to other branches in the future and could mark the beginning of a broader financial transformation. The fact that one of France’s largest banks is offering this service demonstrates the strengthening integration between the crypto ecosystem and traditional finance.
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