Spanish banking powerhouse BBVA has officially launched cryptocurrency trading and custody services for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), now accessible directly through its mobile app for retail customers in Spain. This strategic move marks a significant expansion of BBVA’s regulated digital asset offerings within the European Union.
Following regulatory approval from Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) in March 2025, BBVA’s new service enables legally eligible retail customers to buy, sell, and securely store Bitcoin and Ethereum seamlessly within the bank’s existing digital banking environment. Unlike many competitors, BBVA has developed an in-house custody solution, managing cryptographic keys internally without relying on third-party custodians or external exchanges. This integration allows users to conduct crypto transactions autonomously while BBVA refrains from providing investment advice on these assets.
Gonzalo Rodríguez, Head of Retail Banking for Spain, emphasized BBVA’s commitment to simplifying access to digital currencies: “Our objective is to provide retail clients in Spain with an easy and secure way to invest in cryptocurrencies directly from their smartphones, supported by the trust and security of a leading bank like BBVA.”
This initiative aligns with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which standardizes crypto-asset service provisions across member states and enhances investor protections. BBVA’s rollout follows its prior crypto ventures in Switzerland and Turkey, but this marks the first time these services are broadly available to the Spanish retail market, reinforcing BBVA’s position as a frontrunner in digital banking innovation in Europe.
