Bankinter’s Strategic Stake Signals New Era in Crypto Collaboration

Bankinter, a prominent Spanish bank, has ventured into the cryptocurrency sector by securing a minority ownership in Bit2Me, a crypto exchange based in Madrid. This strategic move is part of a €30 million funding round that concluded in August 2025, marking a notable development in the European financial landscape. Bit2Me is distinguished by its registration under the MiCA regulation, permitting operations throughout the European Union. This initiative symbolizes a paradigm shift within the banking sector, from competing with cryptocurrency platforms to forming strategic partnerships.

How Will This Partnership Shape the Future?

Bankinter aims to create synergies in distributed ledger technology through its investment in Bit2Me. Although specifics regarding share percentages and financial arrangements remain confidential, the agreement is seen as reinforcing Bit2Me’s financial stability and supporting its compliance-oriented growth path. Instead of launching its own crypto services, Bankinter has chosen collaboration with a regulated partner.

This venture has diversified Bit2Me’s investor base, which already includes firms such as BBVA, Unicaja, and Cecabank. Such alliances illustrate how Spanish banks are strategically approaching the crypto space, emphasizing controlled collaborations.

Can MiCA Registration Fuel Regional Growth?

Bit2Me’s early registration under the European Union’s MiCA regulation allows it to function with a single European license, mitigating compliance risks. This positions the company as a B2B facilitator for banks and financial institutions instead of targeting individual users directly.

The last 18 months have seen rapid integration of Bit2Me with traditional finance. It offers backend crypto solutions for Garanti BBVA in Turkey and, alongside Cecabank, has created a shared platform for custody and trade infrastructure. These strategies are perceived as clear indicators of Bit2Me’s aim for compliant growth, particularly in Latin America and Turkey.

Bit2Me’s involvement in July 2024 with Unicaja Ventures, securing more than a 5% investment and receiving a board representative from the bank, enhances its legitimacy. This move suggests European banks might prefer aligning with licensed tech partners over competing in volatile crypto markets.

“Our investment from Bankinter reflects a clear trend: banks prefer integration over competition, leveraging external expertise in cryptocurrency,” Pablo Casadío, CFO of Bit2Me, remarked.

Key takeaways from this collaboration include:

• Strategic investment by Bankinter to foster synergies in crypto space.
• Bit2Me’s MiCA registration gives it a competitive edge in the EU.
• Integration with traditional banks like Garanti BBVA and Cecabank signifies compliance-driven growth.
• Unicaja Ventures’ investment reinforces Bit2Me’s legitimacy.

With this move, Bankinter is playing a key role in reshaping the dynamics between traditional banking and cryptocurrency sectors. The partnership not only elevates Bit2Me’s capabilities but also marks a new chapter in the bank’s approach to adopting digital assets.