By Staff Writer
KBC Bank has become the first bank in Belgium to offer retail cryptocurrency trading, launching regulated access to Bitcoin and Ether under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.
The service will be rolled out via KBC’s Bolero investment platform from mid-February, giving Belgian retail clients access to major digital assets within a traditional banking environment. The offering operates on an execution-only basis, with no investment advice provided.
Crypto trading on Bolero will follow a closed-loop structure, meaning Bitcoin and Ether can only be traded within the platform and cannot be transferred externally. KBC said this approach strengthens custody security and reduces risks linked to fraud, phishing, and unauthorised transfers.
Clients must complete a knowledge and experience assessment before gaining access, confirming their understanding of volatility, custody, and potential losses.
KBC submitted a Crypto Asset Service Provider notification to Belgium’s Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) under the country’s MiCA implementation, which came into effect on January 3. MiCA allows banks to launch crypto services through a streamlined regulatory process, provided compliance requirements are met.
The move seems to be reflecting a broader trend across Europe, where banks are increasingly entering crypto markets under MiCA, as demand grows for regulated, bank-led crypto access among retail investors.
