Dutch fintech bunq has launched flexible cryptocurrency staking across the European Union, becoming the first European challenger bank to offer the service without mandatory lock-up periods.

Bunq Launches Flexible Crypto Staking Across European Union

The Amsterdam-based bank, which describes itself as Europe's second-largest neobank, partnered with crypto platform Kraken to deliver staking services that allow users to earn up to 10% annually on selected cryptocurrencies. The service operates across the Netherlands, France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Germany and the broader European Economic Area.

Users can stake their digital assets to help validate blockchain transactions while retaining the ability to buy, sell or withdraw their holdings at any time. The flexibility addresses what bunq research identified as a key barrier for crypto investors: nearly 65% of users cited uncertainty about market timing as their biggest obstacle to profiting from digital assets.

Expansion Builds on April Crypto Launch

The staking rollout extends bunq's crypto offerings, which launched in April under the bunq Crypto brand. The bank's crypto services run through its partnership with Kraken, giving users access to the trading platform's infrastructure while maintaining the banking interface.

"Our users have been asking for a simple way to grow their crypto," said Joe Wilson, Chief Evangelist at bunq. "With flexible staking, they can now earn on the crypto they already own while keeping the freedom to buy, sell, or unstake anytime."

The crypto expansion comes as bunq pursues broader growth plans, including an application for a U.S. broker-dealer license as part of its entry into American markets. The bank has positioned itself as a technology-focused alternative to traditional European banks, targeting customers who want integrated digital financial services.

While the neobank is expanding further into crypto, its partner exchange is broadening services beyond digital assets. Following the acquisition of Breakout, it plans to start offering proprietary trading services.

bunq the Largest in Europe but Still Far Behind Revolut

The staking launch puts bunq ahead of other European neobanks in crypto services, though traditional banks and dedicated crypto platforms already provide similar products. The key difference is bunq’s flexible model, which removes the fixed lock-up periods usually tied to staking rewards.

While bunq is indeed the largest challenger bank on the European continent, with over 20 million customers, it still lags far behind Revolut, which has amassed 60 million users.

New crypto products and its efforts to obtain a broker-dealer license in the United States may help bunq close at least part of the gap between the two fintechs.