Banker & betalningar
KBC, ING and crypto: what the big banks do and don't do
Large banks in Belgium and the Netherlands generally keep a cautious position on direct crypto trading while still facilitating indirect routes and payments. This overview describes the general pattern; the exact offering differs per bank and over time, so check current terms.
Why big banks stay cautious
A large bank carries a systemic role in payments and savings for millions of customers. Direct crypto custody requires a separate licence under MiCA and its own risk framework, which doesn't naturally fit the existing banking model.
Some large banks currently take a cautious, indirect approach; others explore expansion. That position can shift year to year, so rely on your own bank's current communication rather than earlier reporting.
The ETP route via the investment account
Where a large bank offers crypto-related exposure, it's typically through a listed tracker or ETP product on the regular investment account, not direct purchase of coins.
That fits within existing brokerage and tax infrastructure, but yields no coin you can self-custody or send to a wallet. You buy exposure to the price, not ownership of the underlying asset.
Transfers to crypto platforms: screening as standard practice
Large banks actively screen transfers to crypto platforms under anti-money-laundering rules, which can lead to a request for clarification, a delay or, in exceptional cases, a refusal.
That's policy, not an automatic ban: a clear reference, an account name matching your platform account, and building up in small steps significantly reduce the chance of problems.
What this means for custody and tax filing
An ETP through the bank produces a position that runs through your regular investment file and return, while directly held crypto on a separate platform requires its own records, including proof of source and purchase history.
Anyone combining both — a tracker via the bank and coins on a platform — does well to keep the two files strictly separate, since the tax treatment differs.
Vanliga frågor
Do KBC or ING offer direct bitcoin purchase?
At the time of writing, large banks typically choose an indirect route via trackers or ETPs, or stay out of crypto trading altogether. Check the current position directly with the bank.
Is a tracker via my bank the same as owning bitcoin?
No, you buy a tradable product that follows the price. You have no coin you can send to your own wallet.
Why does my bank hold up a transfer to a crypto platform?
Large banks systematically screen this kind of payment under anti-money-laundering rules. A clear reference and matching account name reduce the chance of delay.
Is the position of big banks on crypto still changing?
Yes, individual banks' positions can shift as regulation and market demand develop. Always rely on your own bank's most recent communication.
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