BBVA launches crypto, and Bizum expands across Europe

Starting July 4, BBVA becomes the first major Spanish bank to offer its clients access to buy, sell, and store Bitcoin and Ether. Transactions are available directly within the banking app, with no intermediaries and full regulatory support — CNMV approved its MiCA license in March.

BBVA had previously tested a similar service in Switzerland and Turkey, and now brings it to Spain, placing the bank at the forefront of "crypto banking" in Europe.

At the same time, Bizum — the Spanish instant payment platform used by over 29 million people — is expanding to a pan-European level. As part of the EuroPA alliance, which connects payment systems from Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Scandinavia, an agreement has been signed to ensure full compatibility with the European Payments Initiative (EPI).

This means that very soon, users will be able to send money and make purchases through Bizum in 15 European countries — from France and Germany to Belgium and the Netherlands. The potential reach: 382 million Europeans.