KBC, a Belgian bank-insurance group, has selected Taurus as its custody partner for crypto assets. Under the partnership, KBC will leverage Taurus-PROTECT, Taurus’ banking-grade digital asset custody platform, to support its regulated crypto offering.
The partnership supports KBC’s move into regulated crypto services and builds on the bank’s earlier announcement that private investors in Belgium will be able to buy and sell crypto assets through Bolero, KBC’s online platform for self-directed investors. With this initiative, KBC said it becomes the first Belgian bank to offer crypto trading within a fully regulated banking framework.
At launch, the offering will cover Bitcoin and Ether and will operate on an execution-only basis for self-directed investors. Crypto trading will be conducted in line with applicable European regulation, including the MiCAR framework, and will be accompanied by mandatory risk disclosures and investor education.
By partnering with Taurus, KBC ensures that crypto assets are safeguarded using institutional-grade technology designed specifically for regulated financial institutions. Custody will be provided through Taurus-PROTECT, which enables secure safekeeping of digital assets within a controlled and auditable environment. The platform integrates with existing risk management, compliance, and operational frameworks, allowing the bank to retain full oversight and control.
The custody setup supports a closed operating model in which crypto assets bought and sold via Bolero remain within the platform, helping to mitigate operational, fraud, and security risks. This approach relieves clients of the need to manage private keys or choose between different crypto exchanges.
Lamine Brahimi, co-founder and managing partner at Taurus, said,
“KBC’s approach demonstrates that regulated crypto services require banking-grade technology. We are proud to support (this) market-first initiative in Belgium with Taurus-PROTECT, our institutional custody platform designed specifically for banks.”
Erik Luts at KBC Group, added,
“Interest in crypto assets among our clients has been growing for several years. By working with Taurus, we can offer crypto services supported by banking-grade custody, ensuring the same level of security, governance, and control that defines our approach across the organization. This partnership allows us to turn regulated crypto trading into a concrete and reliable offering for our clients.”
