KBC Bank, Belgium’s largest financial institution, is preparing to offer its customers the ability to invest in cryptocurrencies via its Bolero subsidiary.

According to a Wednesday report by local newspaper L’Echo, the online investment platform Bolero will introduce Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) investment options later this year.

The bank anticipates obtaining regulatory approval by autumn.

A KBC spokesperson confirmed the plans to L’Echo, stating: “Individual investors will be able to invest directly in Bitcoin and Ether in a secure environment, with a focus on education, security, and regulatory compliance.”

Belgium’s First Major Bank?

If approved, KBC would be one of the first Belgian banks to offer crypto services to retail clients, reports L’Echo.

Currently, most Belgian customers utilize foreign cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and OKX, or investment apps such as Revolut and N26, the report indicates.

KBC’s announcement follows a trend of European banks entering the crypto investment space. L’Echo notes that two German banks, Deutsche Bank and Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, are reportedly planning their own crypto offerings shortly.

CoinTelegraph attempted to contact KBC for comment but did not receive a response by press time.

This is a developing story and further information will be added as it becomes available.

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