Podcast Discussion: Deep Dive Into This Article.
Dutch neobank Bunq, Europe’s second-largest digital bank by user count, has taken a bold leap into the world of crypto with the launch of Bunq Crypto—a fully integrated cryptocurrency trading feature within its mobile banking app. As part of its broader mission to become the go-to financial hub for Europe’s digitally native generation, Bunq is embracing digital assets to cater to rising user demand for a single platform that unites banking, savings, and investing.
The launch marks a significant moment not only for Bunq’s roadmap but also for the European fintech ecosystem, as more regulated banks begin offering direct access to cryptocurrencies amid evolving regulatory clarity.
What is Bunq Crypto?
Bunq Crypto, launched on April 29, 2025, is a new in-app feature that allows users to buy, sell, and hold more than 300 cryptocurrencies directly from the Bunq app. Initially rolled out in six European countries—the Netherlands, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy, and Belgium—the service offers exposure to major digital assets such as:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Solana (SOL)
- And a wide range of altcoins and stablecoins
This crypto service is designed with Bunq’s minimalist and user-friendly interface in mind, making it easy for both crypto newcomers and experienced users to manage their holdings alongside their everyday banking tools.
Why Now? Meeting Consumer Demand for All-in-One Finance
According to internal research cited by Bunq, 65% of European users expressed a desire for a single app that could manage their entire financial life—from checking accounts to crypto investments.
CEO Ali Niknam stated:
“Crypto is now part of mainstream finance. Users want to explore it in an environment that’s familiar, secure, and regulated. We’re bringing that to them—without the hassle of switching platforms or apps.”
This move reflects Bunq’s broader product philosophy of simplifying financial complexity. By embedding crypto directly into its core mobile experience, the neobank is addressing one of the major friction points in the market: the fragmentation of services across multiple platforms.
Strategic Technology Partnership with Kraken
To power its crypto functionality, Bunq has partnered with Kraken, one of the world’s longest-running and most trusted centralized cryptocurrency exchanges. This partnership ensures:
- Deep liquidity across hundreds of digital assets
- Reliable and fast trade execution
- Robust security and regulatory alignment
Kraken ranks among the top 15 global exchanges by volume and has built a reputation for compliance, making it a strategic match for Bunq’s goals of offering regulated, transparent services to its European user base.
This partnership model mirrors a growing trend among traditional financial institutions choosing to integrate with trusted crypto-native platforms rather than building in-house trading infrastructure from scratch.
The Regulatory Green Light
For years, regulatory uncertainty kept many traditional banks on the sidelines when it came to crypto. But that tide is turning.
Bunq’s expansion into digital assets comes as European regulators roll out the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, which offers clearer rules for stablecoins, exchanges, and digital asset custodians across the EU. CEO Niknam has cited this shift as instrumental in their decision to enter the space, saying the improved regulatory outlook gave them the confidence to move forward.
“As regulation became more clear, it gave us the assurance we needed to offer crypto services responsibly,” Niknam noted in a statement.
This positions Bunq ahead of competitors still navigating legal uncertainty, allowing it to capture market share early in what could become a highly competitive field.
Growth Trajectory and Expansion Plans
Bunq has experienced remarkable growth over the past two years. As of June 2024, the neobank reported over 12.5 million users, up from 9 million the previous year—a sign that its blend of tech-first banking and user-centric design is resonating.
With Bunq Crypto now live in six countries, the neobank plans to gradually roll out the service to:
- The entire European Economic Area (EEA)
- The United Kingdom
- The United States (pending regulatory approval)
This geographic expansion is part of Bunq’s broader strategy to become a global “super app” for finance, echoing moves from other fintech giants like Revolut and N26.
How Bunq Is Differentiating Itself
Unlike standalone crypto apps or traditional banks offering limited digital asset exposure, Bunq’s value proposition lies in integration:
- Users can monitor their fiat and crypto balances side-by-side.
- Round-up savings can now be directed into crypto assets.
- Spending insights, budgeting, and environmental offsetting tools remain usable across both fiat and crypto transactions.
This creates a holistic financial experience—something especially attractive to millennial and Gen Z users who prioritize convenience and control.
Bunq also maintains its commitment to carbon offsetting, a feature it pioneered among neobanks, and may soon offer options for users to track the environmental impact of their crypto holdings.
Conclusion
With the launch of Bunq Crypto, the neobank has firmly positioned itself at the intersection of banking and blockchain, taking another step toward fulfilling its vision of an all-in-one financial super app. By combining regulatory trust, deep crypto market access via Kraken, and seamless UX, Bunq is poised to become a leader in mainstream digital asset adoption in Europe.
As the financial landscape evolves, Bunq’s integrated model offers a glimpse of what the future of money management could look like—a single app for everything, from checking your balance to trading crypto, all within a secure, regulated ecosystem.
This article reflects the opinions of the publisher based on available information at the time of writing. It is not intended to provide financial advice, and it does not necessarily represent the views of the news site or its affiliates. Readers are encouraged to conduct further research or consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
