BBVA Opens Bitcoin and Ethereum Access to Retail Clients

The banking group BBVA has opened up trading and custody services for Bitcoin and Ethereum to retail clients in Spain. The service is available through the bank’s mobile app for all adult customers.

The launch followed an application to the National Securities Market Commission in March 2025.

The bank independently holds clients’ assets without involving third-party custodians. Users conduct transactions personally. BBVA does not provide investment advice.

“We want to make it easier for our retail clients in Spain to invest in crypto assets with a simple solution on their mobile phones,” said Gonzalo Rodriguez, head of retail banking at BBVA in Spain.

The service complies with the European MiCA regulation.

Expansion

Previously, BBVA launched similar services through a subsidiary in Switzerland and Turkey in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

Spain has become the third market for the bank and the first where the service is directly aimed at retail clients.

Francisco Maroto, head of digital assets, noted that BBVA will continue to develop its business in this area.

The bank plans to add new cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and tokenized real-world assets (RWA) such as bonds and ETFs in the future.

In December 2023, BBVA’s Swiss subsidiary transferred its digital currency custody services to the Ripple-owned platform Metaco Harmonize.