Belgium’s Second-Largest Bank Launches Crypto Trading

Belgium’s second-largest bank is officially entering the cryptocurrency market.

Specifically, KBC Group has announced that it will begin offering Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) trading to retail investors through its Bolero investment platform starting mid-February.

The move makes KBC the first Belgian bank to provide direct access to crypto trading for private investors within a fully regulated framework.

The service will operate under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), marking a major milestone for crypto adoption inside Europe’s traditional banking system.

Crypto Trading Comes To Belgian Retail Investors

Indeed, beginning the week of February 16, 2026, Belgian customers will be able to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum directly through Bolero, KBC’s online investment platform designed for self-directed investors.

The rollout is fully compliant with MiCAR’s regulatory framework, which governs crypto service providers across the EU. KBC has already submitted its Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) notification to Belgian regulators, becoming the first domestic bank to meet the new regulatory standards.

At launch, Bolero users will have access to BTC and ETH trading in a secure, regulated environment, with mandatory risk disclosures and educational materials provided through the Bolero Academy.

Retail investors will be able to trade crypto through Bolero, KBC's online investment platform. — *Retail investors will be able to trade crypto through Bolero, KBC’s online investment platform. Source: KBC Group*

Why KBC Is Entering Crypto Now

Meanwhile, KBC says the move is driven by rapidly growing demand for regulated crypto access among Belgian investors.

According to industry studies cited by the bank, around 45% of Belgians in their thirties already invest in crypto, and roughly 60% of Bolero’s user base is under 40. Bitcoin is also among the most searched terms on the Bolero platform.

*Asset ownership in Belgium across age groups. Source: FSMA*

Erik Luts, Chief Innovation Officer at KBC Group, said the bank is focused on making crypto investing accessible while maintaining high regulatory standards. As he explained:

“By offering the opportunity to purchase and sell crypto within a regulated framework, we are making innovation concrete and accessible. At the same time, we are demonstrating that KBC remains ready to assume its role as an innovator in a market where new players are rapidly evolving.”

A Closed-Loop Model For Maximum Security

As it happens, KBC is launching crypto trading using a closed-loop custody model designed to reduce fraud, money laundering, unauthorized transfers, and other potential wrongdoing.

It’s also important to note that customers will only be able to buy and sell crypto inside Bolero, with no external wallet transfers permitted. The bank will provide custody services within its own infrastructure, removing the need for investors to manage private keys.

Strict KYC and KYT procedures apply, and customers must complete a knowledge test before trading.

With this launch, KBC becomes a pioneer of regulated crypto banking in Belgium and another major European institution embracing digital assets under MiCAR’s new legal framework.