European digital bank bunq has joined forces with Dutch Bitcoin platform Blockrise to deliver protected Bitcoin services to customers through a Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) solution. Announced on 29 April 2026 in Amsterdam, the alliance marks a significant step in blending traditional banking safeguards with cryptocurrency accessibility, allowing users to enjoy the convenience of full bank accounts tailored for Bitcoin activities.
Under the partnership, Blockrise reportedly becomes one of the first companies to adopt bunq’s BaaS platform.
This offering lets businesses embed bunq’s robust, fully regulated financial backbone directly into their own services via an open application programming interface (API).
The result is a streamlined experience where Blockrise clients in the Netherlands can now open embedded bank accounts instantly and manage fiat funds alongside their Bitcoin transactions.
All euro deposits are safeguarded up to €100,000 under the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme, backed by bunq’s European banking licence, which provides the same level of protection found in conventional banks.
This collaboration addresses a long-standing challenge for Bitcoin enthusiasts in the Netherlands, who previously faced a trade-off between robust security and everyday usability.
By integrating bunq’s infrastructure, Blockrise can now deliver both in one package, handling the heavy lifting of regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering checks, and technical security.
The BaaS model will be enabling fintech firms to accelerate innovation while relying on bunq’s proven speed and safeguards.
Jos Lazet, founder and CEO of Blockrise, highlighted the breakthrough:
“Dutch Bitcoin users no longer have to pick between safety and ease of use. Thanks to bunq’s setup, they receive both—a smooth bank account that integrates perfectly with Bitcoin and comes with full protection from the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme.”
Joe Wilson, Chief Evangelist at bunq, echoed the sentiment, tying it to the company’s core ethos.
“For more than ten years, our focus has been simplifying banking for our users. This partnership extends that vision further.”
The move aligns with bunq’s broader trajectory as a key player in digital finance.
Known as the world’s first generative AI-powered bank, bunq incorporates artificial intelligence throughout its operations to enhance financial management, spending, saving, and investing for mobile and location-independent users.
The company secured Europe’s first full banking license in over 35 years, raised a record €193 million Series A funding round, and became the first EU neobank to achieve consistent profitability.
In October 2025, it expanded into the United States as an approved broker-dealer, with additional growth planned. Blockrise, headquartered in Rotterdam and established in 2017, operates exclusively with Bitcoin.
Its services include trading, portfolio management, and loans backed by Bitcoin holdings, all delivered through a hybrid custody system that ensures clients retain full ownership of their assets.
The platform is regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) and caters to both individuals and businesses throughout Europe. Bitcoin-backed lending is managed separately and falls outside MiCAR oversight.
This strategic tie-up signals growing convergence between regulated banking and digital assets, potentially setting a template for future fintech collaborations that prioritise user protection without sacrificing innovation. As the service rolls out initially in the Netherlands, industry professionals now anticipate wider European availability in the months ahead.