KEY FACTS: KBC Bank, one of Belgium's leading financial institutions, has announced that it will become the first major Belgian bank to offer direct trading of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) to retail customers, launching the service through its online investment platform Bolero on February 16, 2026. The initiative, which follows the bank's full compliance as an authorized Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) under the EU's MiCA regulation (implemented in Belgium on January 3, 2026), will provide secure, regulated access to the two largest cryptocurrencies using KBC's proprietary custody solution, complete with risk warnings and educational resources for investors.
Image source: KBC Bank
KBC Bank, one of Belgium's largest and most prominent financial institutions, has announced plans to launch direct trading of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) for its retail customers. The service, which will roll out starting February 16, 2026, marks the first time a major Belgian bank will offer cryptocurrency trading in a fully regulated environment, aligning with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
The initiative will be delivered through Bolero, KBC's established online investment platform, allowing self-directed investors to buy and sell the two leading cryptocurrencies securely and compliantly. KBC emphasized that this move provides Belgian investors with access to digital assets "within a secure and fully regulated environment". This development is a significant first for the nation.
KBC first revealed its intentions back in July 2025, when it confirmed plans to integrate Bitcoin and Ether trading into the Bolero platform, subject to securing the necessary regulatory approvals by the end of that year. The bank's timeline has held firm, with the launch now scheduled just weeks after Belgium's full implementation of the MiCA framework.
The EU-wide MiCA regulation, designed to provide a harmonized supervisory structure for crypto assets and service providers across the bloc, officially took effect in Belgium on January 3, 2026, following the publication of the country's national implementing laws in December 2025. Oversight responsibilities are shared between the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) and the National Bank of Belgium (NBB).
KBC has positioned itself as a pioneer by submitting a full Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) notification to the relevant Belgian authorities. The trading service will utilize KBC's own proprietary custodial architecture, ensuring that the bank maintains control over asset storage and security rather than relying on third-party providers.
This development represents a major bridge between traditional banking and the cryptocurrency world in Belgium. Until now, Belgian retail investors interested in crypto typically turned to offshore or specialized exchanges, often operating outside local regulatory oversight. KBC's entry brings digital assets directly into a trusted, mainstream banking ecosystem used by millions.
The bank has highlighted that the offering will include constant risk warnings and educational information for users, acknowledging the volatility and risks associated with cryptocurrencies. While the initial launch focuses solely on Bitcoin and Ether, which are the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Future expansions to additional assets have not been ruled out.
The announcement was shared publicly on January 16, 2026, including via a LinkedIn post from KBC’s European public affairs adviser, Michaël Cloots. KBC's launch comes at a pivotal moment for MiCA adoption across Europe. The rollout also occurs amid wider discussions in the EU about MiCA's future governance. Some countries, including France, have advocated for greater centralized oversight by ESMA and restrictions on the "passporting" of licenses issued in one member state for use across the bloc.
KBC's proactive approach demonstrates how established banks are adapting to the new regulatory landscape, in a way, encouraging other traditional institutions to follow suit as MiCA matures.
For Belgium's self-directed investors, particularly younger demographics who have shown strong interest in digital assets, KBC's service offers a convenient, regulated alternative to traditional crypto exchanges. By integrating crypto trading into an existing investment platform already familiar to many KBC clients, the bank is lowering barriers to entry while prioritizing compliance and security.
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