France has taken a big step into digital finance with Groupe BPCE, the country’s second-largest banking group, reportedly launching digital asset trading for its customers. This means its customers will be able to buy bitcoin directly from their banking app, something that used to require a separate 3rd-party exchange.

The announcement came from The Big Whale, a local digital asset news outlet, on Saturday.

Starting Monday, users of two of the banking group’s entities, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne, will have access to four major digital assets: bitcoin (BTC), ethereum (ETH), solana (SOL), and the stablecoin USDC. At first, the feature will only be available to around 2 million customers, but the bank plans to expand it to 12 million users by 2026.

Groupe Banque Populaire and Groupe Caisse d’Épargne became part of Groupe BPCE in 2009, when the two mutual banking groups merged after the 2008 financial crisis and problems at their joint investment bank, Natixis.

Even though they now share the same BPCE parent company, both groups keep their own brands, regional banks, and cooperative structures, and continue to operate as separate retail networks within BPCE.

The new option will appear inside the regular banking app, but trading will happen through a special digital asset account. This account will be run by Hexarq, BPCE’s digital asset subsidiary. There is a €2.99 monthly fee, and each trade will cost 1.5%, with a minimum of €1 per transaction.

BPCE says the slow rollout is intentional. By introducing the service step by step, the bank can observe how people use it, fix problems early, and make improvements before expanding to everyone. This move is a major connection between traditional finance and digital assets.

Other banks across Europe are beginning to offer digital asset services too. BBVA already lets users buy bitcoin and ethereum, and Santander’s Openbank allows trading of several digital assets. BPCE’s joining shows that digital assets are becoming more accepted in mainstream banking.

This launch also matches the timeline of MiCA, the European regulation designed to make digital assets trading safer and more consistent across the EU. Hexarq received official PSAN/CASP regulatory approval, allowing it to manage digital asset services legally in France. Over 65 companies in Europe have obtained similar licenses since 2025.

Experts say this shows that the bitcoin market is maturing. Instead of only tech startups and exchanges, big banks are now entering the space. This is a sign that the scarce digital asset is being treated as a real financial asset, not just a trend.

For everyday users, this update is especially helpful. Before, buying bitcoin usually meant signing up on an exchange, learning wallet systems, and managing security yourself. Now, customers can do everything inside an app they already use and trust.

That lowers the barrier for new investors who may want to try bitcoin but are wary of technical complications. However, experts remind users that bitcoin prices can change quickly. Even if the platform is secure, the market is still unpredictable. BPCE is expected to focus on educating customers as more people begin trading.

Still, the launch is a major moment for the Bitcoin industry in France and across Europe. If successful, BPCE could inspire more banks to offer similar features, increasing adoption and making digital assets even more common.