French banking giant BPCE launches crypto trading in apps
French bank BPCE is planning to introduce cryptocurrency trading for its customers, becoming one of the first traditional banks to do so. According to The Big Whale, users of Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Épargne will be able to buy and sell Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and USDC directly through mobile apps starting on Monday. The initial phase of the launch covers four regional banks, including Banque Populaire Île-de-France, and will reach approximately 2 million users.
Source TradingView
BPCE plans to gradually expand the service to the remaining 25 regional branches by 2026, allowing even more customers to access crypto services. Trading will be carried out through a dedicated digital asset account managed by a subsidiary of Hexarq, with a monthly fee of €2.99 and a 1.5% commission per trade. The competition in the market among financial institutions and crypto brokers in Europe is now growing significantly, and BPCE is committed to staying on top of the trend.
This move by BPCE comes amidst legislative changes in France that affect the taxation of "non-profit assets," including digital assets. The latest changes may affect individuals with wealth over $2.3 million, obliging them to pay a new tax. Such legislative changes emphasize the growing importance of digital assets in the country's financial system.
