Bitcoin News Today: BBVA Bridges Traditional Banking and Digital Assets with 24/7 Crypto Integration

BBVA, a leading Spanish bank, has partnered with Singapore-based SGX FX to launch 24/7 retail cryptocurrency trading for its clients in Europe, marking a significant milestone in the integration of digital assets into traditional banking. The service, which became operational on October 2, 2025, allows customers to trade Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) through BBVA's existing digital platforms, leveraging the same infrastructure the bank uses for foreign exchange (FX) transactions. This collaboration positions BBVA as the first bank in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region to adopt SGX FX's crypto trading infrastructuretitle1^[1].

The integration of SGX FX's technology enables BBVA to offer a seamless trading experience, with real-time pricing, aggregation, and risk management tools. By aligning crypto trading with its FX systems, BBVA ensures that customers can access digital assets through a familiar and secure environment. Vinay Trivedi, COO of SGX FX Sell-side Solutions, emphasized that the partnership allows banks to "move quickly, launch seamlessly, and serve growing client demand without the need for a full stack replacement," leveraging SGX FX's 25 years of experience in global FX marketstitle2^[2].

The launch aligns with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework, which provides a standardized legal basis for crypto services. BBVA's compliance with MiCA underscores its commitment to operating within a regulated environment, a critical factor as most European banks remain cautious about offering crypto services. The bank's move reflects growing client demand for digital assets, with Luis Martins, BBVA's Global Head of Macro Trading, noting that "digital assets are rapidly becoming an integral part of the global finance system." By integrating crypto trading into its platforms, BBVA aims to meet this demand while maintaining the security and trust associated with traditional bankingtitle3^[3].

The service initially supports Bitcoin and Ethereum, with plans to expand to other assets in the future. Customers can buy, sell, and custody cryptocurrencies using BBVA's digital banking interface, which is already regulated by Spain's National Securities Market Commission (CNMV). This approach avoids reliance on third-party custodial solutions, with BBVA managing client holdings through its in-house cryptographic key storage platform. The bank also highlighted that it does not provide advisory services for crypto investments, ensuring clients retain full control over their decisionstitle4^[4].

BBVA's foray into crypto services extends beyond trading. Earlier in 2025, the bank partnered with Binance to explore custody solutions and with Ripple Labs to offer digital asset storage for retail clients. These collaborations reflect BBVA's broader strategy to build a compliant and scalable crypto ecosystem. Additionally, BBVA Switzerland began advising wealth management clients to allocate 3–7% of their portfolios to Bitcoin and Ethereum, depending on risk tolerance, further signaling institutional confidence in digital assetstitle5^[5].

The launch of 24/7 crypto trading by BBVA is expected to influence other European banks to follow suit, particularly as MiCA reduces regulatory uncertainties. While 95% of EU banks currently avoid crypto services, BBVA's integration of digital assets into its core operations may serve as a model for peers. The bank's ability to combine traditional banking infrastructure with innovative technologies like those provided by SGX FX highlights a strategic shift toward mainstream adoption of crypto. As the market evolves, BBVA's early mover advantage could solidify its position as a leader in bridging traditional finance and digital assetstitle6^[6].