On 15 January, KBC Bank — Belgium’s second-largest bank — announced that it will allow investors to trade cryptocurrencies through its Bolero online investment platform. Initially, the service will support Bitcoin and Ethereum, with additional cryptocurrencies expected to follow at a later stage.
“By offering the possibility to buy and sell cryptocurrencies within a regulated framework, we are making innovation tangible and accessible,” said Erik Luts, Chief Innovation Officer at KBC Group. “This also demonstrates that KBC is ready to continue playing a leading role in an evolving market.”
KBC is the first Belgian bank to introduce such a service. Until now, Belgian investors seeking exposure to cryptocurrencies had to rely on neobanks such as Revolut and N26, or on foreign platforms including Binance, Coinbase and OKX. According to a banking industry report, nearly 60 banks across Europe already offer crypto-related services.
This move reflects growing customer demand. A study by the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) shows that 45% of Belgians are already invested in cryptocurrencies, while 60% of Bolero’s customers are under the age of 40.
A regulated entry into cryptocurrencies
The announcement, first made in July, became possible following the adoption of Belgium’s implementing law on crypto assets in December 2025. The new framework is scheduled to take effect in January 2026 and will be applied from the week of 16 February as part of the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
According to the French regulator AMF, MiCA “aims to regulate issuances and services that do not fall under existing regulations on financial instruments and financial products, by creating a harmonised European regulatory framework.” In Belgium, cryptocurrency markets are currently supervised by both the National Bank of Belgium and the FSMA.
What does this mean for customers?
Retail investors will receive clear warnings and information about the risks associated with cryptocurrencies. KBC has emphasised that prices can fluctuate significantly and that investors could lose their entire investment. It has also made clear that crypto holdings are not covered by the deposit guarantee scheme.
In addition, Céline Pfister, CEO of Bolero, stated that the platform’s academy will provide educational content to help investors better understand the crypto environment. Before gaining access, investors will be required to complete a knowledge and experience test to assess their understanding of cryptocurrency-related risks.
The platform will operate on an execution-only basis. This means clients will not receive investment advice and will remain fully responsible for their investment decisions.
How secure is the model for customers?
To mitigate the risks of money laundering and fraud, Bolero will operate under a closed-loop model. Crypto assets will not be transferable to external wallets, and KBC will provide custody services directly.
A KBC spokesperson told Cointelegraph that the bank has submitted a full notification to the National Bank of Belgium regarding its crypto-asset services. “KBC is an authorised CASP, having received approval from the Belgian supervisory authorities to provide cryptocurrency services. We comply with all legal obligations, including reporting crypto assets to the relevant authorities,” the spokesperson said.
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The next stage in crypto’s development
Under the Belgian legislation adopted last December, KBC will open access to cryptocurrency trading on the Bolero platform on 16 February. Prospective investors will be required to pass preliminary tests and will not receive investment advice. All risks will be assumed by clients, who will have been fully informed in advance.
This development takes place within a unified European regulatory framework that has been in force since early 2026, marking another step toward the integration of cryptocurrencies into mainstream financial services.
