European neobank Bunq has opened access to cryptocurrencies for its users in six countries. The technical partner for the launch is crypto exchange service Kraken. This marks the first step in Bunq’s large-scale expansion into the crypto market.
Bunq’s Entry into the Crypto Market
Amsterdam-based neobank Bunq, which ranks second in Europe by number of fintech clients, has announced the launch of its new service, Bunq Crypto. Users now have the ability to invest in over 300 cryptocurrencies — including Bitcoin, Ether, and Solana — directly through the banking app.
In the initial phase, the feature is available in the Netherlands, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy, and Belgium.
The technical implementation is handled by Kraken. The platform will process transactions, provide liquidity, and enable exchange functionality. Kraken’s support has allowed Bunq to integrate crypto trading without leaving the main user interface. Users are not required to switch to external services or open separate accounts.
Regulatory Factor and User Interest
According to Bunq’s founder and CEO Ali Niknam, the decision to enable access to cryptocurrencies was driven by growing demand from users. He noted that many users want to invest in digital assets within a clear and regulated environment. He also pointed out that in recent months, regulatory conditions in Europe have become more predictable, allowing the bank to enter this segment.
Expansion Plans
The current rollout is reported to be the first phase of Bunq’s broader crypto expansion. The bank plans to extend crypto trading across the entire European Economic Area (EEA), as well as in the United States and the United Kingdom. As of June 2024, Bunq had more than 12.5 million users — 3.5 million more than the previous year.
Against the backdrop of these developments in the industry, there was a strong statement from Eric Trump. In an interview with CNBC, he said that blockchain technology has significant advantages and if the banking system does not begin to transform, it will be displaced within the next ten years. The statement comes amid growing pressure on traditional banks, which are having to adapt to new financial realities, including the growth of digital assets and tokenization.
Unifying Financial Services on a Single Platform
Bunq’s entry into the digital asset market reflects a trend toward integrating banking, investment, and savings functions into a single application. According to internal research, 65% of European users want a unified solution to manage accounts, savings, and cryptocurrencies. More than half of respondents stated that current crypto services do not meet their standards for simplicity and security.
In November 2024, Revolut made a similar move by expanding its crypto features across 30 EEA countries. Bunq is following this strategy by focusing on integrating all financial operations — including crypto — within a single digital space.
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