The advice applies to Bitcoin and Ether only, with plans to expand to other tokens later this year
Spanish banking giant BBVA is recommending that its high-net-worth clients allocate between 3% and 7% of their portfolios to cryptocurrency.
The suggested allocation depends on the individual’s risk appetite and currently applies exclusively to Bitcoin and Ether. Additional tokens are expected to be included later this year.
Philippe Meyer, head of digital and blockchain solutions at BBVA Switzerland, shared the details during the DigiAssets conference in London, per reporting from Reuters.
“With private customers, since September last year, we started advising on Bitcoin,” he said. “The riskier profile, we allow up to 7% of (portfolios in) crypto.”
BBVA Switzerland leads the bank’s growing crypto strategy for private clients
BBVA’s crypto advisory service is spearheaded by its Swiss unit, which began executing digital asset trades in 2021. While the bank had facilitated client demand for crypto in recent years, it only began offering formal guidance in September 2024.
In March 2025, BBVA obtained regulatory approval from Spain’s securities regulator to expand crypto trading services domestically.
Despite this, Meyer emphasized that advisory services remain available only to private banking clients, underscoring a cautious rollout aligned with regulatory developments.
“At 3%, you are not taking a huge risk,” Meyer said, adding that even a small allocation can improve portfolio performance.
Traditional banks signal new phase of institutional crypto engagement
BBVA’s position marks a shift in institutional sentiment as traditional lenders begin actively recommending crypto in their portfolio allocations.
Although many banks process crypto trades upon request, few publicly advocate investing in digital assets. Meyer believes BBVA is among the first major global banks to issue such advice.
This development comes as most European banks continue to steer clear of crypto. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) recently reported that 95% of EU banks do not engage in digital asset activity, citing systemic risk concerns.
Still, momentum appears to be building: JPMorgan has also begun allowing clients to buy Bitcoin, while crypto ownership in Spain has more than doubled since 2022.
According to Bloomberg, Banco Santander is also exploring retail crypto services and considering launching dollar and euro-pegged stablecoins.
