BPCE Spur Crypto Adoption With In-App Trading For 12M French Clients

France's Groupe BPCE is expanding its services to include cryptocurrency trading for millions of its retail customers, marking one of the most significant developments in European banking. Starting December 8, 2025, clients of four regional banks will be able to buy and sell major digital assets such as bitcoin, ether, solana, and USDC directly through the Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Épargne mobile applications. The initiative is managed by Hexarq, BPCE's crypto-focused subsidiary, which operates under France's PSAN regulatory framework.

The initial phase will affect approximately 2 million customers across four regional banks, including Banque Populaire Île-de-France and Caisse d'Épargne Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Customers will need to open a dedicated digital asset account, which includes a monthly fee of €2.99 and a 1.5% commission on transactions, with a minimum charge of €1 per trade. The phased rollout allows BPCE to monitor adoption rates and system performance before expanding to its full 12-million-strong retail base by 2026.

BPCE's move reflects a growing trend among European banks to integrate digital assets into traditional financial services. This development aligns with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework, which is now being implemented across the bloc. France has positioned itself as a proactive jurisdiction by approving MiCA licenses starting in July 2024.

The phased approach aims to ensure a smooth transition for both the bank and its customers. By initially targeting 2 million users, the bank can assess demand, refine its user interface, and address potential technical challenges before scaling up. The service operates under Hexarq, which obtained PSAN status from the French financial regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, in 2024. This regulatory compliance is essential for maintaining trust and meeting the stringent anti-money laundering and know-your-customer requirements in the EU.

The service's integration within existing banking apps eliminates the need for customers to use third-party platforms, streamlining access to crypto trading. Real-time pricing, secure wallet integration and compliance with MiCA are key features that align with the European Union's broader push to standardize digital asset regulations.

BPCE's move comes as competition intensifies among traditional banks and fintech firms in Europe. Spanish banks like BBVA and Santander's Openbank have already introduced crypto trading within their apps, while Raiffeisen Bank in Austria partnered with Bitpanda to offer similar services. This trend shows a broader institutional recognition of digital assets as part of mainstream finance.

In France, the launch coincides with a political debate over the potential taxation of crypto assets. A recent amendment to the country's wealth tax would extend the levy to digital assets held as "unproductive wealth," with a 1% tax on holdings exceeding €2.3 million. This development could impact the attractiveness of crypto investments for French customers and influence BPCE's future strategies.

BPCE's initiative signals a shift in how traditional banks are adapting to the digital finance era. By embedding crypto trading into everyday banking, the bank is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation, bridging traditional financial services with digital assets. The success of the initial rollout will likely determine how quickly the service is expanded to all 12 million retail customers by 2026.

As MiCA implementation progresses across the EU, more banks may follow BPCE's lead, further integrating crypto into mainstream financial infrastructure. The regulatory clarity provided by MiCA is expected to foster a more stable environment for banks to innovate and offer secure, compliant crypto services to their customers.