kbcbank

In a historic move for European finance, KBC Group, Belgium’s second-largest bank, has officially announced that it will offer Bitcoin ($BTC) and Ethereum ($ETH) trading to its retail customers. This makes KBC the first major Belgian financial institution to provide direct cryptocurrency services to the public.

The Details of the Launch.
Starting the week of February 16, 2026, over 4 million KBC customers will be able to buy and sell digital assets through Bolero, the bank’s popular online investment platform. Initially, the service will support the two market leaders, Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Key Highlights of the KBC Crypto Service:
Fully Regulated: KBC is operating under the European Union’s MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) framework, ensuring high standards of investor protection and transparency.

Execution-Only Model: Investors will manage their own portfolios. To ensure safety, KBC requires all users to pass a knowledge and experience test to prove they understand the volatility of the crypto market.

Maximum Security (Closed-Loop): To prevent fraud and money laundering, KBC has implemented a "closed-loop" system. This means assets can be bought and sold within the platform, but cannot be transferred to external wallets, and the bank will provide its own institutional-grade custody.

Why Is This Happening Now?
KBC's Chief Innovation Officer, Erik Luts, stated that the bank is responding to massive demographic shifts. Recent studies show that 45% of Belgians in their 30s are already investing in crypto. By integrating Bitcoin into a trusted banking environment, KBC aims to make digital innovation "concrete and accessible" for everyone.

Market Impact.
This news comes at a time when Bitcoin is showing extreme strength, recently surging past $97,000. The entry of a bank with over $300 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM) adds significant institutional credibility to the current bull run. Analysts expect other major European banks to follow KBC’s lead as regulatory clarity improves across the continent.
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