Bitcoin’s symbolic break above $100,000 has pushed the total capitalization of crypto-assets beyond €3 trillion. Riding this momentum, the neobank bunq has rolled out bunq Crypto, a crypto tab that sits alongside ordinary current accounts. The service has been available since 29 April 2025 in six European countries (France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Belgium); Germany is to follow later in the year.
In brief
- bunq launches crypto in its banking app.
- Simplified purchase of 350+ cryptos via Kraken.
- Euro deposits protected up to €100,000.
By bringing crypto inside its mainstream banking interface, bunq promises a single login for euros, savings spaces, MasterCard cards and digital assets. Liquidity and custody are provided by Kraken, one of the sector’s oldest exchanges, while bunq remains the account-holding institution. This structure means that Dutch deposit-protection rules—up to €100,000—apply to the fiat leg of every transaction.
How bunq Crypto works
From the user’s point of view, the process is deliberately streamlined. After identity verification—which bunq says still takes less than a minute—the investor selects a crypto, enters the desired amount and swipes a button to buy one of the 350-plus listed cryptocurrencies. The proceeds of a sale are temporarily locked by a Safety Shield for 24 hours, aiming to thwart impulse withdrawals and fraud.
Fees are tied to the subscription: the Free plan charges 1.99 % per trade; the Elite plan at €18.99 per month cuts this rate to 0.25 %. bunq is also offering a €10 Bitcoin bonus to the first 10,000 users who purchase at least €100 of crypto.
The demand for an all-in-one dashboard
A survey commissioned by bunq in early 2025 shows that 65 % of European citizens would prefer to manage daily payments, savings and crypto investments in a single app. More than half of respondents describe existing exchanges as too complex or insufficiently secure.
Beyond the crypto feature
The launch of the “crypto feature” is part of the bank’s broad Update 28. Alongside the crypto exchange function, bunq introduced:
- bunq Deals, permanently embedding partner discounts (from LEGO, Expedia, etc.) in the app’s payment screen;
- Pocket Money, an automatic allowance tool for children’s accounts;
- An integrated eSIM option for travelers who need data without a physical SIM card;
- A cashback feature that now pays up to 1 % on purchases for business accounts (personal accounts already earned up to 2 %).
Quick practical guide
Opening a bunq account always starts with a selfie and a scan of a passport or ID card. Once approved, the user funds the account via SEPA transfer or debit card, navigates to the Crypto tab, chooses an asset—Bitcoin and Ethereum logically dominate volumes—and confirms. bunq quotes an average time to first purchase of about sixty seconds, including funding. Real-time price alerts can be activated from the same screen, and crypto-specific spending limits can be set in the Smart Shield menu.
The advantages—and the limits
For retail investors wishing to practice DCA or react quickly to market moves, the bank-integrated crypto ramp removes the friction of moving money between institutions. Custody, however, remains with a third party; cryptos cannot (yet) be withdrawn to an external wallet.
“As a bank, we have extensive experience detecting scams, and we use advanced technologies such as AI to keep our users safe. By integrating cryptocurrencies into our platform, we will be even more effective at spotting suspicious activity. Every wallet will be fully protected, giving users a simple and secure way to start investing in cryptocurrencies.”
The €10 Bitcoin bonus (granted when you buy €100 of crypto) adds an extra perk, but it is capped at 10,000 activations and reserved for residents of the six launch markets.
Disclaimers : Trading cryptocurrencies involves a risk of capital loss. bunq Crypto is “powered by Kraken.” Offer limited to residents of France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Belgium. The €10 BTC bonus is reserved for the first 10,000 users who purchase at least €100 of crypto. Spreads and processing fees may apply depending on the plan. This is not investment advice or crypto-asset advice. Buying, selling or exchanging crypto-assets carries the risk of partial or total capital loss. Virtual currencies, real risks. In crypto, risk is the only guarantee.
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Cointribune strives to communicate all useful information to readers, but cannot guarantee its accuracy and completeness. We invite readers to do their research before taking any action related to the company and to take full responsibility for their decisions. This article should not be considered as investment advice, an offer, or an invitation to purchase any products or services.
Investment in digital financial assets carries risks.
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