Key players include CaixaBank, Spain’s CNMV (authorizing body), and prior Spanish licensees: BBVA (first in 2025, launched Bitcoin/Ethereum services July 2025), Openbank (Santander subsidiary, live in Germany September 2025 then Spain), Cecabank, Renta 4 Banco, and Kutxabank. CaixaBank already offers Bitcoin ETPs via its platforms (serving 12M+ users) and participates in the Qivalis consortium for a euro-linked stablecoin; the EU's ESMA maintains the interim MiCA register.[2][4][6][8]
MiCA (Regulation (EU) 2023/1114), fully applicable since 2024, provides banks a streamlined 40-day notice path versus full applications for others, driving their 20% share amid the transitional period ending July 1, 2026 (Spain: June 30). BBVA pioneered in Spain (March/July 2025); CaixaBank completes the big three banks' approvals.[2][3][4]
Newsworthy as it signals accelerating traditional bank entry into regulated crypto amid the 2026 deadline, with MiCA's EU passport enabling cross-border services and reflecting customer demand/investor protections before unlicensed operations cease.[2][6][8][14]