Financial and Business News

KBC Becomes “First Belgian Bank” to Launch Crypto Trading for Retail Investors

Friday, 16/01/2026 | 12:02 GMT by Tareq Sikder
  • Belgian regulators have not yet issued MiCA licenses despite the law taking effect earlier this month.
  • France may block licenses from lenient states; Malta opposes centralization, citing competitiveness concerns.
A screenshot from KBC’s website
A screenshot from KBC’s website

Belgium’s KBC Bank will allow retail investors to trade Bitcoin and Ether starting next month through its online investment platform Bolero. According to KBC, it will be the first Belgian bank to offer crypto trading.

The launch comes amid increased European regulatory scrutiny of crypto service providers. The European Securities and Markets Authority recently updated its rules on conflict-of-interest management for crypto-asset service providers under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation.

KBC Bank Launches Crypto Trading Platform

KBC said customers will be able to buy and sell crypto assets using the bank’s own custodial solution. “This will enable self-directed investors in Belgium to invest in cryptocurrencies within a secure and fully regulated environment,” the bank said.

The bank has also submitted a full crypto asset service provider notification to the relevant Belgian authority. “By offering the opportunity to purchase and sell crypto within a regulated framework, we are making innovation concrete and accessible,” said KBC Group chief innovation officer Erik Luts.

Belgium Delays MiCA License Issuance

Cointelegraph reported that Belgian authorities have not yet issued MiCA licenses, according to the ESMA public register. While MiCA entered into force across the EU in late 2025, Belgium only adopted its implementing law in December 2025.

The law took effect on Jan. 3, 2026, officially designating the Financial Services and Markets Authority and the National Bank of Belgium as the country’s crypto regulators.

Belgium’s delayed implementation reflects broader debate across the EU over centralized oversight and cross-border licensing. Some member states, including France, have argued that ESMA should have direct authority over major crypto firms and raised concerns about the passporting of licenses from other countries.

France has also indicated it may block licenses issued by states with more lenient standards, while other countries, such as Malta, have opposed centralization, citing potential impacts on competitiveness and innovation.

Belgium’s KBC Bank will allow retail investors to trade Bitcoin and Ether starting next month through its online investment platform Bolero. According to KBC, it will be the first Belgian bank to offer crypto trading.

The launch comes amid increased European regulatory scrutiny of crypto service providers. The European Securities and Markets Authority recently updated its rules on conflict-of-interest management for crypto-asset service providers under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation.

KBC Bank Launches Crypto Trading Platform

KBC said customers will be able to buy and sell crypto assets using the bank’s own custodial solution. “This will enable self-directed investors in Belgium to invest in cryptocurrencies within a secure and fully regulated environment,” the bank said.

The bank has also submitted a full crypto asset service provider notification to the relevant Belgian authority. “By offering the opportunity to purchase and sell crypto within a regulated framework, we are making innovation concrete and accessible,” said KBC Group chief innovation officer Erik Luts.

Belgium Delays MiCA License Issuance

Cointelegraph reported that Belgian authorities have not yet issued MiCA licenses, according to the ESMA public register. While MiCA entered into force across the EU in late 2025, Belgium only adopted its implementing law in December 2025.

The law took effect on Jan. 3, 2026, officially designating the Financial Services and Markets Authority and the National Bank of Belgium as the country’s crypto regulators.

Belgium’s delayed implementation reflects broader debate across the EU over centralized oversight and cross-border licensing. Some member states, including France, have argued that ESMA should have direct authority over major crypto firms and raised concerns about the passporting of licenses from other countries.

France has also indicated it may block licenses issued by states with more lenient standards, while other countries, such as Malta, have opposed centralization, citing potential impacts on competitiveness and innovation.

Topics
crypto
retail
Belgium
MiCA
About the Author: Tareq Sikder
Tareq Sikder
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A Forex technical analyst and writer who has been engaged in financial writing for 12 years.

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