Key Takeaways
- • bunq, Europe's second-largest neobank with over 20 million users, surpassed €100 million in cryptocurrency trading volume during its first year of offering crypto services, demonstrating significant retail demand for digital asset exposure through traditional banking channels.
- • The Amsterdam-based fintech expanded its crypto offering in September 2025 by launching flexible cryptocurrency staking across the EU in partnership with Kraken, allowing users to earn up to 10% annually on selected cryptocurrencies with no lock-up periods.
- • bunq achieved €85.3 million in profits for 2024, representing a 65% increase from the prior year and marking the second consecutive year of profitability, signaling operational maturity and sustainable unit economics.
- • The neobank raised fresh funding at a €1.65 billion valuation, surpassing €100 million in total capital raised, with founder Ali Niknam characterizing the period as a "magical year" as the company pursues US market expansion.
- • bunq became the first European neobank to launch flexible crypto staking, addressing a key user barrier identified in internal research showing 65% of users cite uncertainty about timing as their primary obstacle to profitable digital asset investment.
Summary
bunq, the second-largest neobank in Europe by user base, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing €100 million in cryptocurrency trading volume within its first year of offering crypto services. This achievement underscores growing institutional and retail appetite for cryptocurrency exposure through regulated banking platforms, particularly as traditional financial intermediaries expand their digital asset offerings to compete with pure-play crypto exchanges.
The Dutch fintech's crypto expansion began in April 2026 with the launch of bunq Crypto, a service enabling users across six European countries to invest in over 300 cryptocurrencies through a partnership with Kraken, a major cryptocurrency trading platform. This partnership model allows bunq to leverage existing crypto infrastructure while maintaining its core neobank regulatory framework and user experience. In September 2025, bunq escalated its crypto ambitions by becoming the first European neobank to offer flexible cryptocurrency staking across the EU, allowing users to earn up to 10% annually on selected cryptocurrencies while maintaining full liquidity—no lock-up periods, with the ability to buy, sell, or unstake at any time.
The staking service addresses a documented behavioral barrier identified in bunq's internal research: nearly 65% of users cite uncertainty about optimal entry and exit timing as their primary obstacle to profitable cryptocurrency investment. By offering flexible, liquid staking arrangements, bunq removes forced commitment periods that typically characterize traditional staking products, potentially increasing adoption rates among retail users less comfortable with capital immobilization.
bunq's financial performance provides context for its expansion strategy. The neobank reported €85.3 million in profits for 2024, a 65% increase from the prior year and its second consecutive year of profitability. This financial strength supports the company's ability to fund product development and market expansion. Additionally, bunq secured fresh growth capital at a €1.65 billion valuation, with founder Ali Niknam characterizing the period as transformational as the company pursues expansion into the United States market. The neobank serves over 20 million users across Europe and has established itself as a credible alternative to incumbent banking institutions, bolstered by offerings including stock trading, German IBANs, and now comprehensive cryptocurrency services.
The Dutch fintech's crypto expansion began in April 2026 with the launch of bunq Crypto, a service enabling users across six European countries to invest in over 300 cryptocurrencies through a partnership with Kraken, a major cryptocurrency trading platform. This partnership model allows bunq to leverage existing crypto infrastructure while maintaining its core neobank regulatory framework and user experience. In September 2025, bunq escalated its crypto ambitions by becoming the first European neobank to offer flexible cryptocurrency staking across the EU, allowing users to earn up to 10% annually on selected cryptocurrencies while maintaining full liquidity—no lock-up periods, with the ability to buy, sell, or unstake at any time.
The staking service addresses a documented behavioral barrier identified in bunq's internal research: nearly 65% of users cite uncertainty about optimal entry and exit timing as their primary obstacle to profitable cryptocurrency investment. By offering flexible, liquid staking arrangements, bunq removes forced commitment periods that typically characterize traditional staking products, potentially increasing adoption rates among retail users less comfortable with capital immobilization.
bunq's financial performance provides context for its expansion strategy. The neobank reported €85.3 million in profits for 2024, a 65% increase from the prior year and its second consecutive year of profitability. This financial strength supports the company's ability to fund product development and market expansion. Additionally, bunq secured fresh growth capital at a €1.65 billion valuation, with founder Ali Niknam characterizing the period as transformational as the company pursues expansion into the United States market. The neobank serves over 20 million users across Europe and has established itself as a credible alternative to incumbent banking institutions, bolstered by offerings including stock trading, German IBANs, and now comprehensive cryptocurrency services.
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