BBVA Launches Crypto Services for Spanish Retail Clients

Spanish bank BBVA launched cryptocurrency trading and custody services for retail customers in Spain. All users over 18 can now buy, sell and hold Bitcoin and Ether through BBVA's mobile app.

BBVA integrated the entire trading and custody system into its app. Customers access a dedicated crypto section from their banking dashboard. The bank handles order execution and safekeeping internally, eliminating the need for external platforms. 

The service requires an active BBVA account and the latest mobile app version. BBVA uses its own custody infrastructure to store customer crypto in the bank's digital vault.

We want to make it easier for our retail customers in Spain to invest in crypto-assets, through a simple and easy-to-access digital solution on their cell phone. Our goal is to support them as they explore digital assets, backed by the strength and security of a bank like BBVA,

said Gonzalo Rodríguez, head of retail banking for Spain.

Francisco Maroto, head of digital assets, said BBVA plans to add more assets, including stablecoins and tokenized bonds and funds. The bank aims to expand its digital asset business beyond BTC and ETH.

The bank filed with Spain's National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) in March 2025 to offer these services. Customers can manage crypto alongside traditional accounts within the same mobile application.

The Spanish launch represents BBVA's expansion into retail crypto trading in Europe. The bank now operates crypto services across three countries under different regulatory frameworks, with Switzerland serving private clients and Turkey and Spain serving retail customers.

BBVA launched crypto services in Switzerland in 2021 for private banking clients and in Turkey in 2023 through Garanti BBVA for retail customers. Spain marks BBVA's third regulated digital asset market and its first retail crypto offering in its home country.

The launch comes as European banks increasingly adopt crypto services under MiCA regulations. The framework harmonizes crypto rules across EU member states and requires specific disclosure and custody standards for service providers.