Ripple Strikes Custody Deal with BBVA to Boost Crypto Services in Spain

Quick Breakdown: 

• Ripple teams up with BBVA to launch regulated digital asset custody in Spain.
• EU’s MiCA rules accelerate bank adoption of crypto services across Europe.
• Ripple expands RLUSD stablecoin rollout to Africa via Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card.

Ripple has expanded its European presence through a new agreement with BBVA, enabling the Spanish banking group to deploy Ripple’s institutional-grade custody technology for digital assets . The deal underpins BBVA’s recently launched retail crypto service in Spain, offering customers secure trading and custody for bitcoin and ether.

IMG TXT: Ripple Strikes Custody Deal with BBVA. Source: DeFi Planet  

Ripple Custody Powers BBVA’s Digital Asset Push

Under the agreement, BBVA will integrate Ripple Custody, a self-custody infrastructure built to meet stringent regulatory, operational, and security standards. The technology will allow BBVA to scale its custody operations across tokenized assets, responding to rising demand for crypto access among retail clients.

The move comes after the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework established clear rules for banks and financial institutions. Ripple executives said the regulatory clarity is accelerating adoption, positioning European banks to roll out compliant digital asset products.

BBVA, known for early adoption of digital innovation, had already introduced crypto services in Switzerland and Turkey before expanding to Spain. The new partnership strengthens its offering by embedding trusted custody capabilities directly within its banking infrastructure.

Building on a Longstanding Partnership

The Spanish rollout adds to Ripple’s broader relationship with the BBVA group. Ripple custody solutions are already deployed at Garanti BBVA in Turkey and BBVA Switzerland, underscoring the bank’s regional strategy of building consistent crypto services across multiple markets.

Francisco Maroto, Head of Digital Assets at BBVA, said the partnership equips the bank to deliver an end-to-end service for customers exploring digital assets, combining convenience with the security of a regulated financial institution.

With more than a decade of experience and over 60 regulatory licenses worldwide, Ripple has positioned itself as a critical technology partner for banks entering the digital asset economy. 

In a parallel development, Ripple has confirmed the African launch of its U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD). The rollout will be executed in partnership with regional fintech leaders Chipper Cash, VALR, and Yellow Card, extending access to one of the fastest-growing digital payment rails on the continent.