France’s Groupe BPCE, the nation’s second-largest banking group, has begun rolling out bitcoin trading for its customers, marking a significant shift toward mainstream adoption of digital assets in European banking.

Bpce introduces phased bitcoin access

Starting this week, 2 million customers of BPCE’s Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne can now buy bitcoin, USDC, and other coins directly from their standard banking apps.

The bank plans to expand this feature to all 12 million users by 2026.

Trading is facilitated through a dedicated digital asset account operated by BPCE’s subsidiary Hexarq, with a €2.99 monthly charge and a 1.5% transaction fee (minimum €1 per trade).

Regulatory approval and industry shift

Hexarq has received PSAN/CASP regulatory approval, granting it legal authority to offer digital asset services in France.

This launch is in line with the broader adoption of MiCA regulations across Europe, which aim to standardize and secure digital asset trading.

Over 65 European firms have obtained similar licenses since 2025, indicating growing institutional acceptance of bitcoin as a financial asset.

Lower barriers for retail investors

Previously, buying bitcoin in France typically required navigating separate exchanges and self-custody solutions.

Now, BPCE customers can invest in bitcoin within an app they already trust, significantly lowering entry barriers for new users.

This ease of access may encourage wider participation in the bitcoin market, though experts warn that price volatility remains a risk.