Groupe BPCE, France’s second-largest bank with over one trillion euros in assets, is set to introduce direct cryptocurrency purchasing for its clients. Starting December 8, customers will be able to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and USDC through the bank’s existing mobile applications, marking one of Europe’s most significant moves to integrate digital assets into traditional banking infrastructure.

Phased Rollout and Service Details

The initiative will begin with a phased rollout targeting approximately two million clients across four of the group’s 29 regional banks. Among the first to offer the service are Banque Populaire Île-de-France and Caisse d’Épargne Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. BPCE plans a full expansion across its remaining regional banks in 2026, contingent on the success of the initial launch.

The new feature will be managed through a digital asset account within the bank’s apps, priced at €2.99 per month with a 1.5% fee on trades. The service is operated by Hexarq, BPCE’s crypto-focused subsidiary, which secured the necessary regulatory authorization nearly a year ago to provide digital asset services under France’s compliance framework.

France Navigates Crypto Regulation and Taxation

This launch aligns with the accelerating implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation across the European Union. France has positioned itself as a proactive jurisdiction for digital assets, attracting major industry players. U.S.-based exchange Gemini, for example, secured regulatory approval to expand its services into the country in November 2024.

However, the country’s embrace of crypto is also accompanied by new fiscal considerations. In late October 2025, the National Assembly narrowly approved a proposal for an “unproductive wealth” tax targeting crypto assets. The measure, introduced as part of the 2026 national budget deliberations, is now under review in the French Senate. If passed, the new tax would take effect on January 1, 2026, highlighting the evolving and complex relationship between the French state and the digital asset economy.