Key Takeaways:
- BBVA advises high-net-worth clients to allocate 3%-7% of portfolios to crypto, citing performance benefits and manageable risk.
- The bank has expanded its crypto services following regulatory approval, enabling trading of Bitcoin and Ether via its mobile app.
- BBVA’s proactive stance contrasts with 95% of EU banks avoiding crypto amid ongoing regulatory caution.
Spain’s second-largest bank, BBVA, is advising high-net-worth clients to allocate 3% to 7% of their portfolios to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
This marks a significant shift as the bank expands its digital asset services following regulatory approval in March 2025.
Spanish bank BBVA tells wealthy clients to invest in bitcoin https://t.co/uRhjyaBmi0 https://t.co/uRhjyaBmi0
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 18, 2025
Philippe Meyer of BBVA Switzerland highlighted that the bank began offering crypto advice in 2023 and has since increased recommended allocations for clients with higher risk tolerance.
He noted that even a small 3% crypto allocation can boost portfolio performance without significant risk.
BBVA stands out in Europe, where 95% of banks remain cautious about crypto due to regulatory concerns.
Despite this, BBVA has offered crypto trading since 2021 and launched formal advisory services in late 2024.
Its new offerings will gradually roll out, eventually allowing users to buy, sell, and manage crypto directly through BBVA’s mobile app.
This move aligns with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which began implementation in late 2024 and requires compliance by July 2026.
BBVA’s actions reflect growing institutional interest in crypto, with rival bank Santander also exploring stablecoin launches and expanded crypto offerings.
BBVA’s early adoption positions it ahead of most European banks in the evolving digital asset landscape.