KBC Launches Crypto in Belgium: A Historic First for European Banks

The European banking landscape has just witnessed a major turning point. KBC, Belgium’s second-largest bank, announces that starting February 16, 2026, it will offer cryptocurrency buying and selling through its Bolero investment platform. A historic first for a major Belgian bank, marking the official entry of traditional financial institutions into the crypto era in Europe.

This announcement comes at a time when the European MiCA regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets) is redefining the rules of the game for financial players. Traditional banks, long reluctant toward cryptocurrencies, now have no choice but to adapt – or watch their customers leave for the competition.

KBC: The Banking Pioneer of Crypto in Belgium

Banking and insurance company KBC is pioneering as the first Belgian bank compliant with MiCA regulation to offer crypto-asset services. The institution has submitted a complete notification as a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) to the competent supervisory authority, the FSMA (Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority).

“By offering the ability to buy and sell cryptocurrencies within a regulated framework, we make innovation concrete and accessible,” says Erik Luts, Chief Innovation Officer at KBC Group. “At the same time, we demonstrate that KBC remains ready to assume its role as an innovator in a market where new players are evolving rapidly.“

Bolero: The Platform at the Heart of the System

It is through Bolero, KBC’s online investment platform, that retail investors will be able to trade their first cryptocurrencies. Starting the week of February 16, they will have access to trading Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), the two main cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

“We have noticed that digitally-oriented customers are particularly interested in this type of product,” explains Céline Pfister, CEO of Bolero. “As a platform for autonomous investors, we give them complete control over their investments, without advice, but with the necessary support.“

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A Highly Secured Model: The “Closed-Loop”

To ensure maximum security and limit the risks of fraud or money laundering, KBC and Bolero have opted for a “closed-loop” model. Concretely, this means that:

• Customers buy and sell their cryptos exclusively within Bolero
• No incoming or outgoing transfers to other platforms or external wallets are possible
• Strict KYC (Know Your Customer) and KYT (Know Your Transaction) procedures are applied
• The origin of funds is systematically verified

This model, while restrictive for users accustomed to the total decentralization of cryptos, offers an unprecedented level of protection. KBC also provides custody of crypto-assets, which relieves customers from managing their own private keys – a relief for many novice investors.

A Mandatory Knowledge Test

Before being able to trade cryptocurrencies on Bolero, customers will need to pass a mandatory knowledge and experience test. This questionnaire assesses whether the investor is aware of the risks associated with crypto-assets: extreme volatility, possibility of total loss of invested capital, absence of bank guarantee…

The platform will operate on an execution-only principle: customers make their own investment decisions and receive no personalized advice. Educational resources will nevertheless be available through the Bolero Academy to support new investors.

MiCA: The Driver of European Banking Transformation

The MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) has come into force progressively in Europe, with full application since late 2024 for stablecoins and mid-2025 for other crypto-assets. This harmonized European regulatory framework represents a revolution for the crypto industry.

For traditional banks, MiCA represents both a constraint and an opportunity. On one hand, they must invest massively to comply with new requirements. On the other, they benefit from a competitive advantage: their existing compliance infrastructure and their reputation for security.

A European Movement in Motion

KBC is not alone in this dynamic. In Germany, DZ Bank – the country’s second-largest bank – obtained its MiCA authorization in early 2025 and launched its “meinKrypto” platform. It allows customers of the Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken networks to trade Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies directly from their banking apps.

MiCA transition periods vary across EU member states: from July 2025 (Netherlands) to July 2026 (certain states). Banks that do not obtain their license within the deadlines will have to cease their regulated crypto services. This regulatory pressure is accelerating adoption by traditional institutions.

Belgian Demand: 45% of Thirty-Somethings Already Invested

KBC’s decision is not insignificant. It responds to real market demand in Belgium. According to a study by the FSMA (Financial Services and Markets Authority), 45% of Belgians aged 30 to 39 already invest in cryptocurrencies.

A figure that makes perfect sense when you know that 60% of Bolero customers are under 40. The term “Bitcoin” is among the most searched keywords on the platform’s website. The bank aims to capture this digital clientele before they turn to 100% crypto players or foreign neobanks.

Until now, Belgian investors wishing to acquire cryptocurrencies had to go through foreign platforms (Binance, Coinbase, Kraken…) or neobanks with a crypto offering. With KBC, they can now invest in a familiar and regulated banking environment.

What This Changes for Investors

The arrival of a major bank like KBC in the crypto ecosystem has several major implications for investors:

✅ Advantages

• Enhanced security: proven banking infrastructure, no risk of exchange bankruptcy
• Tax simplicity: easier reporting via standard bank statements
• No private key management: the bank provides custody
• Familiar interface: integration into existing banking environment
• Customer support: access to KBC customer service

⚠️ Limitations

• Limited offering: only Bitcoin and Ether at launch
• No external transfers: impossible to send your cryptos to a personal wallet
• Potentially higher fees than specialized exchanges
• No DeFi: no access to decentralized finance protocols
• No staking or yield on held cryptos

Outlook: Toward Banking Democratization of Crypto

KBC’s initiative marks a tipping point in institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies in Europe. It sends a strong signal: traditional banks now recognize crypto-assets as a legitimate asset class, worthy of being offered to their customers.

This evolution should encourage other European banks to follow suit. In France, Spain, Italy… institutions that delay positioning themselves risk losing a young, connected clientele accustomed to managing their finances from their smartphones.

For decentralization purists, this “bankarization” of crypto may seem antithetical to Bitcoin’s original philosophy. But for millions of investors seeking security and simplicity, it represents an accessible gateway to this universe still perceived as complex.

February 16, 2026 may remain in history books as the date when cryptocurrencies officially crossed the doors of traditional banks in Belgium. One more step toward mass adoption.