Belgium’s KBC Bank Makes History With First-Ever Bitcoin and Ether Trading Under MiCA

Belgium’s second-largest financial institution, KBC Bank, is about to develop into the primary Belgian financial institution to supply direct buying and selling of Bitcoin and Ether to retail traders beneath the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).

The transfer comes after years wherein Belgian traders interested by crypto largely relied on international exchanges equivalent to Binance, Coinbase, and OKX, or digital banking apps like Revolut and N26.

Until now, no main Belgian financial institution had built-in crypto buying and selling instantly into its core funding platforms.

The financial institution announced on Thursday that, beginning the week of 16 February, Belgian personal traders will be capable of purchase and promote the 2 largest cryptocurrencies by Bolero, KBC’s on-line funding platform.

KBC Responds to Crypto Demand While Ring-Fencing Risk

KBC’s resolution reveals rising stress on conventional monetary establishments to reply to sustained retail demand, at the same time as regulators throughout Europe tighten oversight of digital belongings.

The launch follows KBC’s submission of a full Crypto-Asset Service Provider, or CASP, notification to the related authority beneath MiCA.

While the financial institution didn’t specify which regulator it coordinated with, Belgium solely recently accomplished its nationwide implementation of MiCA.

The nation printed its implementing legislation in December 2025, with the framework becoming legally efficient on Jan. 3, 2026.

Oversight of crypto markets in Belgium now falls collectively to the Financial Services and Markets Authority and the National Bank of Belgium.

Under MiCA, Bitcoin and Ether aren’t handled as stablecoins or asset-referenced tokens as a result of they don’t have any central issuer or pegged worth. Instead, they fall beneath a broad class of “different crypto-assets.”

Even so, the regulation locations in depth obligations on service suppliers like KBC and Bolero, together with strict shopper safety guidelines, segregation of shopper belongings, capital necessities, cybersecurity requirements, and controls to stop market abuse.

Any CASP licensed in a single EU member state can, in precept, supply companies throughout the bloc by passporting, a characteristic that has sparked debate amongst regulators.

KBC stated crypto buying and selling on Bolero will happen inside a closed loop, which means clients can solely purchase and promote crypto inside the platform, with no exterior transfers permitted.

The financial institution stated this construction is designed to cut back dangers associated to fraud, cash laundering, and unauthorized transactions.

The financial institution will present custody by its infrastructure, eradicating the necessity for purchasers to handle personal keys or work together with third-party exchanges.

All transactions can be topic to strict know-your-customer and transaction monitoring procedures, with funds used for buying and selling absolutely verified.

Why Is KBC Warning So Loudly Before Letting Customers Trade Crypto?

KBC repeatedly emphasised threat disclosures in its announcement, warning clients that crypto costs can fluctuate sharply, that complete loss is feasible, and that crypto belongings aren’t lined by deposit assure schemes.

Bolero will function on an execution-only foundation, which means clients is not going to obtain funding recommendation and should make their very own selections.

Before buying and selling crypto, customers can be required to finish a data and expertise take a look at to show consciousness of the dangers.

Céline Pfister, CEO of Bolero, stated academic supplies can be supplied by the Bolero Academy at launch to assist traders perceive the brand new asset class.

KBC’s resolution follows its initial announcement in July 2025 that it planned to offer Bitcoin and Ether trading pending regulatory approval.

The rollout now locations the financial institution forward of its home opponents and aligns it with a broader European pattern.

More than 60 banks throughout Europe already supply some type of crypto-related service, a recent industry report shows.

Its transfer comes as different establishments throughout Europe cautiously increase into digital belongings, at the same time as some regulators push for tighter, centralized oversight on the EU stage.

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