Spanish Banking Giant BBVA to Launch Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading

• BBVA now allows Spanish retail customers to buy, sell, and store Bitcoin and Ethereum directly through its mobile app.
• The service is fully integrated, self-managed, and operates under EU MiCA regulations using BBVA’s in-house custody system.

Leading Spanish banking group BBVA has expanded its digital services. The firm did this by introducing Bitcoin trading and custody features for retail customers in Spain. This move marks a new phase in its digital asset strategy. This makes it easier for individuals to invest in cryptocurrencies directly from their phones.

Customers in Spain Can Now Trade Bitcoin Through the BBVA App

In a previous article, we discussed how Spanish bank BBVA received approval from the Spanish Financial Markets Regulatory Authority to enable its customers to conduct transactions using Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

According to recent developments, BBVA has introduced new crypto trading features on its mobile app. This will enable retail customers to buy, sell, and store Bitcoin and Ethereum. This development coincides with CNF’s previous report that retail traders increased their Bitcoin exposure. This signals a shift in short-term market sentiment.

It is worth noting that the bank made this move after completing a regulatory filing with Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) in March 2025. With this approval, the service is now open to all customers of legal age in the country.

This launch marks BBVA’s first move into offering digital asset services directly to retail clients in its home market. The offering is built into the bank’s existing mobile banking system, with no reliance on third-party platforms. Customers can conduct transactions independently, while the bank does not provide investment advice.

Gonzalo Rodríguez, who heads retail banking in Spain, stated that the new service is designed to make access to crypto simple. According to him, customers can now explore digital assets with the security and trust that comes from working with a well-established financial institution.

The bank has also ensured that the service meets the standards set by the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. This helps to align the new offering with existing rules for digital financial services in the region.

Interestingly, Bitcoin adoption in Spain has been growing dramatically in recent times. In an earlier update, we noted that one of Spain’s private universities, the University of the Hespérides, has launched the world’s first master’s program focused solely on Bitcoin. 

CNF also reported that the Spanish Vanadi Coffee firm plans to build a Bitcoin reserve fund using new shares and convertible bonds.

Spain Joins Switzerland and Turkey in BBVA’s Crypto Expansion

Before this launch in Spain, BBVA had already made progress with digital asset offerings in other countries. The bank first introduced crypto trading in Switzerland back in 2021. However, that service was focused on private banking clients. In 2023, the bank also launched a similar offering in Turkey through Garanti BBVA, its local arm.

With Spain now added, BBVA has made the service available in three countries. This marks a shift from offering the feature only to high-net-worth individuals to making it available to the wider public.

Francisco Maroto, who leads BBVA’s digital assets team, said the move reflects the bank’s commitment to innovation. He added that BBVA is looking to grow its digital assets unit by exploring other cryptocurrencies and even tokenized versions of traditional products, such as bonds and funds.

BBVA manages its crypto custody system, providing complete control over how assets are stored securely and ensuring their secure storage. This in-house setup is also expected to support future updates to the service.