KBC Group, Belgium's second-largest bank with over $300 billion in assets under management, has announced it will begin offering regulated cryptocurrency trading services on February 16, 2026. This makes KBC the first bank in Belgium to provide such services under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework.
The service will be integrated directly into KBC's existing Bolero investment platform, which serves approximately 4 million users. Instead of creating a standalone crypto application, the bank is embedding digital asset trading within the familiar environment clients already use for traditional investments like equities and funds. Erik Luts, Chief Innovation Officer at KBC Group, stated: "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."
This development represents a significant shift in the Belgian financial landscape, where investors previously relied on foreign exchanges or fintech platforms operating outside traditional banking channels. KBC's entry signals a growing acceptance of digital assets as legitimate investment products within regulated financial institutions.
The launch is enabled by the MiCA regulation, which provides clear rules around investor protection, licensing, and operational standards, giving banks the confidence to expand into crypto services without regulatory ambiguity. KBC's move is part of a broader European trend of institutional crypto adoption. Earlier in January 2026, Germany's DZ Bank—the second-largest bank in Germany with over €660 billion in assets—began offering crypto trading services under MiCA regulations after receiving approval from BaFin, Germany's financial regulator.
Industry observers note that the rising adoption of cryptocurrencies by major financial institutions across Europe could play a crucial role in providing market liquidity and credibility as digital assets continue to gain mainstream acceptance.
