Europe’s second-largest neobank, Bunq, has announced its expansion into the cryptocurrency market due to the increasing demand from retail investors for digital assets globally. The Amsterdam-based neobank revealed the launch of Bunq Crypto on April 29, allowing users to invest in over 300 cryptocurrencies, including popular options like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and Solana (SOL). Users in the Netherlands, France, Spain, Ireland, Italy, and Belgium can access these cryptocurrencies directly through the Bunq app starting April 29. CEO Ali Niknam highlighted the growing interest in digital assets among clients, emphasizing the need for a trustworthy platform for purchasing crypto. Bunq’s move into crypto was also facilitated by a more favorable regulatory environment, providing assurance as a regulated entity to offer these services to the public. The crypto offering is in partnership with Kraken, the 14th-largest centralized cryptocurrency exchange globally. This move marks the initial phase of Bunq’s global crypto expansion, with plans to introduce trading across the entire European Economic Area, as well as in the United States and the United Kingdom. With over 12.5 million users as of June 2024, up from nine million a year earlier, Bunq’s approach aligns with the trend of financial institutions integrating banking, savings, and investing services into unified digital platforms. Research conducted by Bunq revealed a significant demand for simplified crypto access in Europe, with 65% of consumers seeking a unified platform for managing banking, savings, and cryptocurrency investments. Over 50% of surveyed investors expressed interest in crypto exposure but found existing platforms lacking in simplicity and security. Bunq’s founder and CEO, Ali Niknam, emphasized the importance of offering users a straightforward way to invest in digital assets on a single platform. This expansion comes on the heels of Revolut’s move in November 2024 to expand crypto exchange services across 30 European Economic Area markets. The integration of crypto services into neobanking platforms reflects the evolving landscape of financial services, catering to the increasing demand for diversified investment options.