BBVA Spain taps Ripple for digital asset custody services

September 9, 2025 • FinTech News
BBVA Spain taps Ripple for digital asset custody services

Spanish banking giant BBVA has entered an agreement with Ripple to adopt its digital asset custody technology. This partnership represents another significant step in BBVA’s expanding presence in cryptocurrency services. The collaboration supports BBVA’s recently launched crypto-asset trading and custody service for retail customers in Spain. This service initially includes support for bitcoin and ether.

Technology Integration and Security Standards

The collaboration will integrate Ripple’s self-custody infrastructure into BBVA’s systems. This technology enables secure storage of tokenized assets, including various cryptocurrencies. By implementing Ripple’s solutions, BBVA aims to provide comprehensive custody services that meet the highest security standards. The partnership focuses on delivering trust and operational efficiency to customers.

Ripple’s custody solutions already operate successfully at Garanti BBVA in Turkey and BBVA Switzerland. The banking group has been testing and refining its digital asset strategy through these pilot programs. Extending these capabilities to Spain demonstrates BBVA’s commitment to expanding its crypto offerings across key markets.

Strategic Vision and Market Positioning

Francisco Maroto, BBVA’s head of digital assets, emphasized the combination of innovation and institutional trust. “Ripple’s custody solution allows us to leverage proven and trusted technology,” Maroto stated. “It meets the highest security and operational standards, enabling BBVA to directly provide end-to-end custody service to customers.” He added that this agreement supports BBVA’s goal of helping customers explore digital assets with the security of an established bank.

This partnership reflects the growing trend of traditional banks collaborating with fintech and blockchain companies. These collaborations bridge the gap between conventional financial services and the emerging digital economy. By positioning itself as both custodian and facilitator of digital assets, BBVA aims to attract retail clients seeking regulated, secure access to cryptocurrencies. This approach helps customers avoid risks associated with unregulated exchanges.

As European regulatory frameworks for digital assets continue developing, partnerships like this demonstrate how banks are preparing for a central role in tokenized finance. For Ripple, this deal strengthens its position as a trusted technology provider for institutional digital asset custody. For BBVA, the partnership provides a competitive advantage in delivering integrated, bank-backed crypto services to its growing customer base.