BPCE to Offer Crypto Trading to 2M Retail Clients Through Hexarq
French banking giant BPCE has announced a new crypto trading service that will be made available to about two million retail clients. Customers will be able to buy and sell Bitcoin, Ether, Solana and USDC through a dedicated digital asset account administered by Hexarq, keeping trading and custody operations tied to their bank relationship rather than a standalone exchange.
The rollout marks another step toward mainstream adoption as a major European lender brings on-ramps for popular tokens directly into its product suite; industry observers say bank-backed offerings can increase trust and lower friction for cautious retail investors. Hexarq’s role in administering accounts may also help BPCE manage operational and compliance burdens, while regulators and competitors in the EU watch how quickly traditional banks add crypto capabilities.