Main Points :
- Ripple integrates institutional-grade custody tech into BBVA’s retail crypto platform for BTC and ETH.
- Supported by MiCA regulation, the move empowers banks to offer compliant digital asset services.
- Builds on existing BBVA–Ripple collaboration in Switzerland and Turkey.
- Marks a major strategic expansion for Ripple and positions BBVA as a digital pioneer in regulated crypto services.
Background & Integration
Ripple is partnering with BBVA to empower its Spanish retail customers by integrating Ripple Custody—Ripple’s institutional-grade digital asset self-custody solution—into its mobile banking app. Now, BBVA users can conveniently buy, hold, and transact with Bitcoin and Ethereum, all within the secure and trusted environment of their bank’s application. Francisco Maroto, Head of Digital Assets at BBVA, emphasized that this infrastructure enables the bank to offer a seamless end-to-end custody experience with top-tier security and operational reliability.
Regulatory Catalyst: MiCA
The launch aligns with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework, which has clarified the rules for digital asset services. According to Ripple’s European Managing Director Cassie Craddock, MiCA has encouraged traditional banks to advance initiatives like this one. As a result, BBVA has publicly disclosed the launch of these services to the CNMV, further underlining the bank’s transparency and compliance.
Prior Collaborations: Switzerland & Turkey
This is not the first collaboration between Ripple and BBVA. The bank’s operations in Switzerland have already integrated Ripple-powered custody infrastructure since 2023, and its Turkish subsidiary, Garanti BBVA, adopted similar services in 2024. The Spain rollout thus represents a natural extension of an ongoing, multi-country partnership.
Strategic Significance for Ripple & BBVA
For Ripple, this agreement heralds another important strategic victory—solidifying its role as a trusted infrastructure provider for regulated banking institutions across Europe. For BBVA, the integration positions it at the vanguard among traditional banks by offering a fully regulated, in-app crypto trading and custody experience to its retail customers.
Recent Developments in BBVA’s Crypto Journey
- In March 2025, BBVA received a MiCA license from Spain’s CNMV and announced its plan to launch crypto services via its mobile app to a select group of users.
- By July 2025, BBVA expanded the offering to all retail clients. The service is app-based, does not provide crypto investment advice, and uses BBVA’s proprietary cryptographic key custody system.
- Other major Spanish banks, including Santander and CaixaBank, are reportedly preparing to launch comparable digital asset services.
Conclusion
The BBVA–Ripple partnership in Spain represents a pivotal moment in the integration of cryptocurrency into mainstream banking. By leveraging Ripple’s secure and compliant custody infrastructure under the regulatory umbrella of MiCA, BBVA is positioning itself as an innovative leader among traditional financial institutions. For users—from blockchain-savvy investors to crypto-curious individuals—this development signals that digital assets are steadily entering the regulated, bank-backed ecosystem. As other legacy banks follow suit, the industry moves closer to bridging the gap between decentralized assets and mainstream finance in a safe, accessible, and institutionally supported manner.
