As reported by Bison Bank, the institution has received the necessary regulatory clearance to provide crypto-asset services directly under the MiCA framework, joining a select group of around 30 banking institutions across the European Union that have secured equivalent authorisation.

This move follows the integration of Bison Digital Assets (BDA), the bank’s wholly owned subsidiary, into Bison Bank’s operations. The BDA subsidiary was established in 2022 after receiving approval from the Bank of Portugal as the country’s first bank-owned Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP), positioning the lender as an early entrant into Portugal’s regulated digital asset market.

Regulatory framework

The transition to CASP status enables the bank to provide custody, exchange and advisory services relating to crypto-assets within a harmonised European regulatory framework. Introduced through the EU’s MiCA regulation, the regime seeks to establish common rules for crypto-asset issuers and service providers across member states, while reinforcing investor protection, market transparency and financial stability.

António Henriques, Chief Executive Officer of Bison Bank, said the latest development represents the next stage in the bank’s long-term strategy to integrate digital assets into mainstream banking. “We recognised several years ago that digital assets would become part of the future financial landscape”, he stated, “with MiCA now providing a clear regulatory framework across Europe, integrating these services directly into the bank is the next logical step”.

The bank stated that combining its banking operations with its digital assets business will allow clients to access regulated crypto-related services through a single institution operating under banking-level compliance, governance and risk management standards.

This integration also supports Bison Bank’s broader blockchain strategy, including the expansion of tokenised financial products. Earlier this year, the bank launched its EUB and USB electronic money tokens, while developing tokenisation solutions linked to real-world assets (RWAs), an area expected to play an increasingly important role in digital finance.

According to figures released by the bank, Bison Digital Assets served around 275 clients during 2025 and processed approximately €165 million in trading volume before its integration into the parent company.

Licensing systems

The announcement comes as financial institutions across Europe continue adapting to MiCA, which became fully applicable for crypto-asset service providers following its phased implementation by the European Union.

This regulation replaces fragmented licensing systems with a single framework designed to allow authorised firms to passport their services throughout the bloc.

Furthermore, Portuguese regulators have gradually aligned with the new regime. The Bank of Portugal continues to supervise anti-money laundering compliance for certain crypto-asset activities, while the Portuguese Securities and Markets Commission (CMVM) has also taken on responsibilities under the MiCA framework, reflecting the EU’s shared supervisory model.

Financial performance

Bison Bank’s expansion into regulated crypto services also coincides with a strong financial performance.

The lender reported recurring net profits of €5 million for 2025, double the previous year’s result, while recording a Common Equity Tier (CET1) capital ratio of 38.5 percent, placing it among the highest-capitalised banks in Europe.

Its digital asset strategy has also attracted international recognition, as Bison Bank recently received the “Portugal’s Best for Digital Assets” award at the 2026 Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards, highlighting its growing presence in the regulated digital finance sector.