Europe’s Second-Largest Neobank Bunq Launches Crypto Trading via Kraken

Bunq, the Amsterdam-headquartered digital bank and Europe’s second-largest neobank by user base, has officially entered the cryptocurrency market through a major strategic partnership with U.S.-based exchange Kraken. The move marks a significant milestone for Bunq as it evolves from a challenger bank into a full-service financial platform catering to Europe’s tech-savvy, mobile-first generation.

The partnership allows Bunq users to buy, sell, and hold over 300 digital assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Chainlink directly within the Bunq app. The crypto feature is now live in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Italy, and Belgium, with plans for expansion across the wider European Economic Area (EEA), as well as the U.K. and the United States.

Bunq’s expansion into crypto comes amid rising demand for unified financial platforms. A proprietary survey conducted by the neobank in late 2024 revealed that 65% of European consumers are looking for an all-in-one app that consolidates traditional banking and crypto investing. Over half of those surveyed indicated they would consider investing in digital assets if the process were simplified and trusted within a regulated platform.

Bunq’s decision reflects a broader shift across Europe’s fintech landscape, as neobanks race to capture the growing intersection between decentralized finance and mainstream financial services. Competitors like Revolut and N26 have also bolstered their crypto offerings, but Bunq’s Kraken partnership gives it access to one of the deepest liquidity pools in the market, offering greater choice and reliability.

The Kraken-Bunq collaboration ensures that all crypto trades are routed through a regulated exchange with strong compliance infrastructure and user protection measures. Kraken, founded in 2011 and one of the longest-standing crypto exchanges, holds regulatory licenses in the U.S. and Europe and is known for its robust security protocols.

By embedding Kraken’s infrastructure into the Bunq ecosystem, users avoid the friction typically associated with transferring funds to external crypto wallets or exchanges. Instead, they can buy and sell digital assets using their existing Bunq account balance, track portfolio performance in real-time, and easily convert crypto holdings back into euros for spending.

Bunq’s entry into the digital asset space is also timely from a regulatory standpoint. The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, which takes full effect in 2025, is set to standardize crypto regulation across member states. By launching under Kraken’s regulated infrastructure and focusing on compliant jurisdictions first, Bunq is positioning itself ahead of competitors still navigating the complex legal terrain.

Founded in 2012, Bunq has grown rapidly thanks to its user-first philosophy, sleek design, and progressive features. As of mid-2024, the neobank reported more than 12.5 million users and €4.2 billion in customer deposits. Unlike many of its peers, Bunq achieved profitability in 2023 and has continued to invest heavily in technology, AI, and sustainability initiatives.

Its latest crypto launch reflects a broader ambition to become the central financial hub for digitally native consumers. In addition to the crypto rollout, Bunq recently unveiled new budgeting tools, green investing portfolios, and real-time spending analytics.

Bunq plans to further expand its crypto features later this year, including staking, recurring buys, and automatic profit-taking tools. With the regulatory environment becoming clearer and demand for digital assets continuing to rise, Bunq’s bold move may serve as a bellwether for a new phase of neobank evolution.