KBC to launch crypto trading for retail investors
Belgian banking group KBC will allow retail clients to trade bitcoin and ether via its investment platform Bolero starting this autumn. The move marks the first time a major Belgian bank has entered the crypto market.
The bank is currently undergoing regulatory approval to operate as a crypto asset service provider, De Tijd writes. A green light is expected by the autumn. KBC says its offering will focus on investor education, security and regulatory compliance.
Until now, Belgian investors had to use international platforms like Coinbase and Binance, or neobanks such as Revolut and Bunq. Other major banks in Belgium, like Belfius, ING and BNP Paribas Fortis, remain cautious. Only Belfius has expressed interest in exploring crypto through its Rebel platform.
Growing interest
The shift comes amid the EU’s new Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, which sets uniform standards for crypto service providers across the bloc. The aim is to level the playing field and improve oversight, especially regarding anti-money laundering compliance.
Interest in crypto is growing fast in Belgium, particularly among younger investors. A recent Financial Services and Markets Authority survey found that 43 per cent of Belgian investors under 29 already invest in crypto. For those under 30, it amounts to 45 per cent.
© BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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