Groupe BPCE, France’s second-largest bank by assets under management, is moving deeper into digital finance with the launch of a new service that allows customers to buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly through their existing banking apps.
The rollout begins with an initial 2 million users and is scheduled to expand to more than 12 million by 2026, positioning BPCE as one of Europe’s most aggressive traditional-finance adopters of digital assets.
The new feature is powered by Hexarq, BPCE’s crypto subsidiary, which secured full Digital Asset Service Provider (CASP) approval from France’s financial regulator, the AMF, in late 2024.
With regulatory authorization in place, Hexarq now enables seamless access to a curated list of cryptocurrencies—Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), and USDC, without requiring customers to use external exchanges.
BPCE has integrated the service within its popular Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne mobile apps, ensuring that clients can manage both conventional banking and crypto assets from a single interface.
The model mirrors the rising demand for simple, compliant, and trustworthy on-ramps as crypto adoption grows across Europe. A monthly fee of €2.99 and a 1.5% transaction commission apply, placing the service within a competitive cost range for regulated digital-asset offerings.
The bank views the move as both a defensive and strategic expansion. By offering crypto trading natively inside its apps, BPCE aims to retain customers who might otherwise turn to independent exchanges, while simultaneously attracting new clients seeking regulated access to digital assets.
This development strengthens France’s position as a leader in EU-regulated crypto activity. It also follows Société Générale, which previously became the first major French bank to secure full approval for comprehensive digital-asset services. BPCE’s entrance marks the second large-scale initiative of its kind in the country, further signaling that traditional finance is preparing for a long-term shift toward blockchain-based financial products.
