BPCE Adds In‑App BTC, ETH, SOL and USDC Trading for Two Million Customers
French banking group BPCE has launched in‑app crypto trading for roughly two million retail customers across four regional networks (including Banque Populaire Île‑de‑France and Caisse d’Épargne Provence‑Alpes‑Côte d’Azur). The service, operated by BPCE’s crypto unit Hexarq, offers direct buying and selling of Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL) and Circle USDC inside existing mobile banking apps without third‑party wallets or exchanges. Customers trade through a dedicated digital‑asset account that carries a €2.99 monthly fee and a 1.5% transaction commission (minimum €1). BPCE will monitor the pilot’s performance and roll the feature out progressively across the remaining regional networks through 2026 to reach its full 12‑million retail base. The move follows a broader trend of European banks (BBVA, Openbank/Santander, Raiffeisen/Bitpanda) embedding crypto trading and custody to retain customers and compete with fintechs like Revolut and Trade Republic. For traders, the launch increases on‑ramp liquidity and regulated access for BTC, ETH, SOL and USDC in France, while fees and custodial controls may affect retail order flow and price sensitivity compared with noncustodial or lower‑fee platforms.
Bullish
The launch is mildly bullish for the mentioned tokens (BTC, ETH, SOL, USDC) because it expands regulated on‑ramps and retail access in a major European market. Greater ease of purchase through established bank apps typically increases retail demand and liquidity over time, supporting price direction. The impact is likely gradual rather than immediate: short‑term price spikes are possible around publicity or onboarding waves, but fees (1.5% and €2.99/month) and custodial constraints may limit high‑frequency retail trading and shift some volume to lower‑cost platforms. Long term, bank integrations tend to broaden the investor base and institutional comfort with crypto, which is structurally positive for adoption and prices of BTC and ETH in particular. SOL should benefit from increased retail visibility but remains more sensitive to market cycles and network‑specific risks. USDC’s impact is primarily on stablecoin flows and fiat‑onramps and is neutral for its peg but positive for on‑chain liquidity.