In a positive bit of Bitcoin news, a major Spanish bank is making an interesting suggestion to its more affluent clients. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), the second-largest Spanish bank, has suggested to its wealthy clients that investing in cryptocurrency could be a successful move.
The bank told its affluent clients that it recommends investing between 3% to 7% of their total portfolio in cryptocurrency, mainly Bitcoin. The suggestion is dependent on each client’s desired risk exposure and the directive comes from a statement made by a company executive.
BBVA Recognizing the Future of Digital Currency
Philippe Meyer, the head of digital and blockchain solutions for BBVA Switzerland, commented on the news at a London conference. “With private customers, since September last year, we started advising on Bitcoin.” He also noted that, for riskier profiles, portfolio allocation has been increased.
“If you look at a balanced portfolio, if you introduce 3%, you already boost the performance. At 3%, you are not taking a huge risk,” Meyer said. He noted that clients have generally been receptive to the bank’s advice and have dismissed some concerns that the cryptocurrency market is too risky to invest in.
Those concerns come from European Union regulators as well as the bloc’s central bank when it comes to crypto risks. Additionally, 95% of EU banks are steering clear of crypto activities with numbers coming from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
BBVA Regulatory Nod, Impact of MiCA
This isn’t a new move for BBVA. The bank has been executing crypto trades dating back to 2021. It has since moved into a more active advisory role going back to the end of 2024. It has since positioned itself in a position considered to be ahead of most traditional financial institutions.
A move in March of 2025 really aided its current direction. Spain’s securities regulator gave the bank the green lite to being offering both Bitcoin and Ether trading in Spain. Initially, BBVA had its crypto offerings launched as part of a phased rollout that only went out to select clients. The initiative allowed users to sell, buy, and manage their digital assets via a mobile app over the coming months.
The expansion from BBVA comes in the wake of the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) reached its full implementation by the end of 2024. Crypto companies within the EU will have until July 2026 in order to comply with the stringent requirements set forth under the 18-month transitional phase.
Why More Financial Institutions are Moving in the Direction of Cryptocurrency
Given the tentative attitude that so many banks in Europe have toward cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin, this may feel like a unique move. In reality, BBVA may have foresight for Bitcoin that traditional banks are having a hard time wrapping their heads around. Here are the biggest reasons to invest in Bitcoin whether you are affluent or not.
Growing Institutional Adoption
One of the biggest reasons to be bullish about the future of Bitcoin is because of its standing with traditional financial institutions. Since its inception, one of the primary challenges facing the token has been adoption by some of the biggest and most powerful entities in finance.
Now, banks and other major financial institutions are adopting Bitcoin. There has been a huge increase in interest partially because of Bitcoin ETFs, which make them more readily available to investors who may have been turned off by crypto previously. While there is definitely interest in growing investor adoption, the move of more traditional institutions into the Bitcoin space is going to help drive Bitcoin up to even greater heights.
Portfolio Diversification
At the heart of the bank’s goal is diversification of its clients portfolios. Even the hottest and “safest” investments should only be part of a greater portfolio. There is the old adage about putting all of your eggs in one basket, after all. It is never a wise decision because things change and even the safest investments can crash.
By adding a little cryptocurrency to one’s portfolio, clients can diversify. They can gain access to the growing value of Bitcoin without having to bear the full brunt of the volatility that has become synonymous with the investment. It is a way to dip one’s toe into the pool without having to take the plunge.
Decentralization
When Bitcoin was initially launched, one of the major selling points of the token was its potential for independence and decentralization. The idea of not having to be at the whim of a middleman, like a bank, is appealing to many investors.
Because Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network, there is no central authority control. This gives it the ability to be potentially resistant to manipulation and government interference. For investors that are looking for an alternative to more traditional financial systems, Bitcoin is certainly an appealing option.
Growth Potential
We hear all the time about Bitcoin’s price. It seems to be hitting new highs on a regular basis, trading at more than $100k per token. Where the ceiling is remains to be seen, but speculators are highly bullish on the token over the next five years. Some even think that it could cross the $1 million-per-token mark at some point.
Historically, Bitcoin has shown the potential for massive price increases. Considering where it began just over a decade ago, prices have surged exponentially. Proponents expect that it will remain the top-performing asset within the cryptocurrency market for the foreseeable future.
Store of Value Potential
In the wake of a very public and positive stand by United States President Donald Trump regarding cryptocurrency, there has been a surge in the number of investors who feel that Bitcoin can become a “digital gold” of sorts. This is, in part, because of its capped supply (21 million tokens) as well as its resistance to inflation.
In addition to the scarcity of Bitcoin, it also has the potential for preserving purchasing power. This is especially true during times of uncertain economic activity. That only stands to make Bitcoin a more attractive investment, especially to financial institutions.
The Future is Bright
Though there is always a touch of uncertainty when investing in Bitcoin or cryptocurrencies, the future seems bright. Industry experts are bullish on the marketplace, as a whole, but remain very much in favor of Bitcoin as an investment.
That a major European bank would suggest to clients that investing in Bitcoin is a good idea only shows that the potential for growth is there. Though other EU banks are reticent to make the move, it feels like it may only be a matter of time before that changes.
By adding Bitcoin to their portfolios, these bank clients are putting themselves in a position to grow their assets without having to take on a position of real risk. Whether other major banks follow suit remains to be seen, but it has to be seen as a positive sign for Bitcoin.
