BBVA Shares Rise 3% on Approval for Bitcoin, Ether Trading

BBVA, Spain's second-largest bank, has received regulatory approval from the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV) to offer Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) trading services to its customers. This approval allows BBVA to provide its clients with the ability to buy, sell, and manage digital assets directly through its mobile app. The bank will utilize its own cryptographic key custody platform to maintain full control over customer holdings, ensuring a secure and seamless experience without third-party involvement.

The initial rollout of these services will be limited to a select group of users, with plans to gradually expand to all private customers across Spain in the coming months. This phased approach ensures that the bank can monitor and refine its cryptocurrency offerings before a full-scale launch. BBVA's entry into the cryptocurrency market in Spain follows its earlier foray into digital assets in Switzerland, where it launched Bitcoin custody and trading services for private banking clients in June 2021. The Swiss branch has since expanded its offerings to include Ether and the USDC stablecoin.

BBVA's Turkish subsidiary, Garanti BBVA Kripto, also launched its crypto trading services to the public in January 2025. With Spain now joining the fold, BBVA is broadening its crypto services in line with evolving European regulations. This move is part of a broader trend where traditional financial institutions are increasingly recognizing the importance of digital currencies and blockchain technology in the modern financial landscape. By offering Bitcoin and Ether trading, BBVA aims to cater to the growing demand for cryptocurrencies among its clientele, enhancing its service offerings and positioning itself as a forward-thinking institution.

The regulatory nod from Spanish authorities enables BBVA to integrate cryptocurrency trading into its existing financial services, making it one of the few traditional banks in the region to offer such services. This initiative is part of a broader trend where financial institutions are increasingly recognizing the importance of digital currencies and blockchain technology in the modern financial landscape. The integration of cryptocurrency trading into BBVA's mobile banking app is expected to attract tech-savvy users who are interested in digital assets, further expanding the bank's customer base.

The approval from regulators underscores the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies within the traditional financial sector. As more institutions embrace digital assets, it is likely that we will see increased innovation and competition in the cryptocurrency market. BBVA's entry into the cryptocurrency trading space