• BBVA customers in Spain will soon be able to trade Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).
• The bank will roll out the crypto trading services in phases.
• First, the bank will allow a select group of customers to test the services before expanding it to retail customers.

Spain’s Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), the country’s second-largest bank, has received regulatory approval from the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV) to offer Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) trading services.

Following the approval by the securities regulator, BBVA announced that its clients will soon be able to buy, sell, and manage BTC and ETH directly through its mobile banking app, a move that underscores the growing convergence of legacy banking and digital assets.

This development positions BBVA as a trailblazer among European banks, capitalizing on the increasing demand for crypto-related services. With Bitcoin (BTC) trading at approximately $82,808 and Ethereum (ETH) at $2,118, the bank aims to tap into a market that has seen explosive growth and institutional interest.

Notably, BBVA’s decision reflects a broader trend of traditional financial institutions adapting to the evolving preferences of tech-savvy customers, many of whom view cryptocurrencies as both an investment opportunity and a hedge against economic uncertainty.

A phased rollout approach

BBVA will roll out its crypto trading in phases. Initially, the service will be available to a select group of users, allowing the bank to test and refine its platform before a wider rollout.

Afterwards, the lender will gradually expand access to all private banking customers across Spain.

This cautious yet deliberate strategy highlights BBVA’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and secure experience for its clients, leveraging its own cryptographic key custody platform to maintain full control over digital asset holdings without relying on third-party providers.

The bank’s proprietary custody solution is a key differentiator. By keeping customer assets in-house, BBVA aims to enhance security and trust—crucial factors in a sector often plagued by concerns over hacks and mismanagement. This move also aligns with the bank’s long-standing emphasis on technological innovation, positioning it as a leader in the digital transformation of finance.

Building on the rising crypto adoption trends

BBVA’s crypto journey is not a sudden leap but a calculated expansion of efforts that began years ago. In June 2021, the bank launched Bitcoin custody and trading services for private banking clients in Switzerland, where regulatory clarity provided an early foothold.

Since then, BBVA’s Swiss branch has broadened its offerings to include ETH and the USDC stablecoin after partnering with Ripple’s Metaco, catering to a sophisticated clientele comfortable with digital assets.

More recently, in January 2025, BBVA’s Turkish subsidiary, Garanti BBVA Kripto, introduced crypto trading services to the public, further solidifying the bank’s global footprint in this space.

The approval in Spain builds on these successes, adapting lessons learned from Switzerland and Turkey to meet the unique needs of the Spanish market.

With each step, BBVA is demonstrating a strategic vision to integrate cryptocurrencies into its core offerings, aligning with shifting regulatory and consumer landscapes.

Notably, the timing of BBVA’s Spanish rollout coincides with the full implementation of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which took effect at the end of 2024. MiCA establishes a harmonized framework for crypto services across the EU, providing banks and firms with the legal clarity needed to operate confidently.

Under this regulation, companies have until July 2026 to achieve full compliance during an 18-month transitional phase, giving BBVA ample time to refine its operations.

Ethereum (ETH) has been struggling around the $2,200 level, with bulls unable to reclaim higher prices despite multiple attempts. The market sentiment remains bearish, as ETH continues to face selling pressure even after Thursday’s announcement of the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which many had expected to boost overall confidence in the crypto sector.

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As ETH hovers near critical demand levels, analysts believe that the next week will be crucial in determining its short-term direction. If bulls can defend key support zones, Ethereum may have a chance to regain momentum. However, failure to hold these levels could lead to further downside pressure.

Top analyst Carl Runefelt shared a technical analysis on X, highlighting that Ethereum is breaking out of a pattern that often signals a potential breakout. If ETH follows this setup, it could push into higher resistance zones and reclaim key price levels above $2,500. However, confirmation of this breakout is needed, as market volatility remains high.

Ethereum Bulls Hope For A Recovery

Ethereum has suffered a steep decline, losing over 50% of its value since late December, triggering fear and panic selling across the market. Once a leader in previous bull cycles, ETH is now struggling to regain momentum, leading many analysts to question whether the long-awaited altseason will happen this year. With Ethereum and most altcoins unable to reclaim bullish structures, the market remains under bearish control, keeping investors cautious.

Despite the negative sentiment, there is still hope for a recovery as Ethereum approaches key technical levels that could determine its next move. Runefelt’s remarks reveal that ETH is breaking above a descending triangle pattern, a setup that often signals a trend reversal. However, confirmation is crucial, as many past breakouts have turned into fakeouts, trapping traders in further downside moves.

For Ethereum to solidify a bullish breakout, it must push above and close above $2,300. This level is a key resistance zone, and flipping it into support would indicate renewed buying strength, potentially opening the door for a push toward $2,500 and higher price targets.

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Until this confirmation happens, Ethereum remains at risk of further declines if sellers regain control. Traders and investors are closely watching whether ETH can maintain its breakout attempt or if it will face another rejection, extending its bearish trend into the coming weeks.

ETH Key Levels To Watch

Ethereum is currently trading above the $2,000 support level, a crucial last line of defense for bulls hoping to see strong performance this year. Holding this level is essential, as a breakdown below $2,000 could trigger further downside, reinforcing bearish sentiment in the market.

Despite this, bulls have struggled to reclaim higher prices, leaving investors frustrated with ETH’s lack of momentum. Recent price action has been choppy and indecisive, with each attempt at a breakout quickly met with selling pressure. This has kept ETH stuck in a tight range, preventing a clear shift in market sentiment.

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However, a decisive reclaim of $2,300 could mark a turning point. If ETH pushes above and holds this level, it would likely open the door for a move toward $2,500, strengthening the case for a recovery rally. Until then, traders remain cautious, as Ethereum’s struggle to gain traction continues to weigh on the broader altcoin market.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

Ethereum has faced massive selling pressure and volatility over the past month as the entire crypto market trends downward, pushing ETH toward crucial demand levels. With uncertainty dominating the market, traders remain cautious as Ethereum struggles to reclaim lost ground.

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Analysts expect even more volatility following US President Trump’s executive order on Thursday, which established a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. While the announcement was expected to boost market sentiment, it introduced more uncertainty, leaving investors unsure of its long-term impact on the crypto space.

Despite the ongoing decline, on-chain data from Santiment reveals a bullish signal—330,000 Ethereum have been withdrawn from exchanges in the past 72 hours. Such large outflows often indicate investors moving ETH into private wallets, suggesting reduced selling pressure and possible long-term accumulation.

With Ethereum hovering at key support levels, the coming days will be critical in determining whether ETH stabilizes or faces further downside. If market sentiment improves and exchange outflows continue, Ethereum could see a strong recovery. However, if selling pressure persists, another leg down remains a possibility, keeping traders on high alert.

Ethereum Faces A Critical Test

Ethereum has lost over 50% of its value since late December, triggering massive fear and panic selling across the market. Once a leading force in crypto rallies, ETH is now struggling to regain momentum, leaving investors questioning whether the long-awaited altseason will materialize this year. Many analysts speculate that it won’t, as Ethereum and most altcoins continue to struggle, unable to reclaim bullish settings or establish a clear recovery trend.

Despite the bearish sentiment, there is still hope for a rebound, as on-chain data suggests potential bullish catalysts. Ali Martinez shared Santiment data, revealing that 330,000 Ethereum have been withdrawn from exchanges in the past 72 hours. This significant outflow could indicate that investors are moving ETH into private wallets, reducing immediate selling pressure and potentially setting the stage for a supply squeeze.

A supply squeeze occurs when the available supply of an asset on exchanges decreases, making it harder for sellers to push prices lower. If Ethereum continues to hold key demand zones and buying pressure increases, the reduced exchange supply could drive a strong recovery toward higher price levels.

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For now, traders are watching whether ETH can stabilize and reclaim critical resistance levels. If bulls regain momentum, Ethereum could start a recovery trend in the coming weeks. However, if selling pressure persists, another wave of downward movement remains a possibility, keeping the market on edge. The next few days will be crucial in determining Ethereum’s short-term direction and whether the recent exchange withdrawals signal a turning point for ETH.

ETH Price Testing Crucial Demand

Ethereum (ETH) is currently trading at $2,130 after days of struggling below the $2,500 level. The market remains under bearish control, with bulls unable to reclaim key resistance zones. As long as ETH stays below $2,300, bears continue to hold the upper hand, keeping selling pressure dominant.

For a recovery rally to take shape, bulls must defend the $2,100 level and push ETH back above $2,500. A decisive break past this resistance would signal renewed buying momentum, potentially shifting the market sentiment and triggering a stronger push toward higher prices. However, failure to reclaim these levels would prolong the current downtrend and leave ETH vulnerable to further declines.

The key level to watch is $2,000—losing this support could trigger a dramatic breakdown, leading to accelerated selling pressure and a potential drop into lower demand zones. This scenario would erase hopes of a near-term recovery, forcing Ethereum into a deeper bearish phase.

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With ETH hovering near critical levels, traders are closely watching whether bulls can regain momentum or if bears will push prices lower. The next few days will be crucial in determining ETH’s short-term direction and whether it can escape its downward trend.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView