In a major move for digital banking and crypto adoption, European neobank Bunq has partnered with Kraken, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, to launch a new crypto investment feature for its users. The collaboration marks a significant step forward in making digital asset investing more accessible and secure across Europe.
Bunq Launches Crypto Services with Kraken’s Help
On Tuesday, U.S.-based crypto exchange Kraken announced that it will now power Bunq’s new crypto investment service. The service gives users access to more than 300 digital assets, including well-known cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as a wide variety of altcoins.
The service is currently available in six European countries: France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and two others not officially disclosed in the announcement. This rollout is expected to expand further as demand increases and regulations allow.
Bunq CEO Ali Niknam emphasized that this partnership fits with the company’s broader mission. “Our users across the world have long waited for a simple, safe and straightforward way to invest in digital assets,” Niknam said in a statement. “Now, everything they will ever need to save, spend, and invest – including crypto – is on one platform.”
Who Is Bunq?
Bunq is a Netherlands-based neobank, meaning it operates entirely online without any physical branches. It focuses on offering convenient digital financial services tailored to modern lifestyles, especially for digital nomads—people who work remotely while traveling the world.
As of 2024, Bunq serves 17 million users across Europe. The company’s website highlights its fast and easy setup process, allowing users to open an account in just five minutes, with the option to provide a tax ID later.
In its 2024 annual report, Bunq reported a total of $8 billion in user deposits, showing strong customer trust and growth in the competitive fintech space.
Bunq has been rapidly expanding. In 2022, the neobank became the second-largest digital bank in the European Union after acquiring Belgian fintech startup Tricount, according to Fintech Futures.
Last year, Bunq also introduced investment services for stocks and exchange-traded products (ETPs). Adding crypto to its platform is the next logical step toward becoming an all-in-one financial hub for its users.
Kraken’s Role and Future Plans
Kraken, based in San Francisco, is one of the oldest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. The platform boasts 13 million users globally, according to its official website.
In addition to its core crypto exchange, Kraken is expanding its services to include stock trading. In early 2025, the company revealed plans to offer commission-free trading of over 11,000 stocks and ETFs to its American users.
This diversification could make Kraken a serious competitor to platforms like Robinhood and Coinbase, which already offer both crypto and stock trading.
Kraken is also reportedly preparing for a public offering (IPO) in 2026, a move that could make it one of the few publicly traded crypto exchanges in the U.S. This potential IPO would follow years of growth and increasing mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency.
Adding Bunq’s large user base to its network may help Kraken strengthen its global footprint ahead of its planned IPO.
Legal Clarity and Regulatory Wins
The partnership with Bunq comes at a time when Kraken has cleared up some of its legal issues with U.S. regulators. In March 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officially dropped its lawsuit against Kraken, which had previously accused the company of violating securities laws.
Kraken called the lawsuit a “wasteful, politically motivated campaign” against the crypto industry. The dropping of the case is seen as a positive sign for the exchange and the broader market, especially as the U.S. government moves toward more defined crypto regulations.
Other platforms like Robinhood and Coinbase also saw similar lawsuits dismissed, indicating a shift in how regulators are approaching the crypto space.
Why This Matters
The collaboration between Bunq and Kraken is more than just a business deal—it’s a clear indicator of how the banking and crypto worlds are merging.
For Bunq, adding crypto to its platform helps it stay ahead of the curve and meet the growing demand from tech-savvy users who want more control over their finances.
For Kraken, the deal opens the door to millions of new potential investors in Europe and gives the company a stronger position as it prepares for a public offering.
This partnership is also a sign of increasing trust in crypto as a mainstream financial product. As regulatory clarity improves and traditional financial institutions enter the crypto space, everyday users will find it easier and safer to invest in digital assets.
Looking Ahead
With Bunq’s support, Kraken may soon become a leading crypto provider not just in the U.S., but across Europe as well. Meanwhile, Bunq strengthens its position as a full-service digital bank capable of meeting the modern user’s needs, from checking accounts to stock and crypto investments.
As both companies continue to grow, users can expect even more integrated and seamless financial tools in the near future. The future of finance looks digital, borderless, and increasingly decentralized, and partnerships like this are helping pave the way.
