Questions around this news
What does it mean to be a MiCA-regulated Crypto-Asset Service Provider?
A Crypto-Asset Service Provider, or CASP, is a business that provides services involving crypto-assets, such as custody, exchange or advice. MiCA is the European Union’s regulatory framework for crypto-assets and related services. A CASP operating under that framework must meet applicable requirements for authorization and conduct, intended to support consistent regulation across the EU.
How is Bison Bank changing its crypto-asset business?
The bank says its CASP activity will operate through the merger of its fully owned subsidiary, Bison Digital Assets, into the bank. The subsidiary had already been approved by the Bank of Portugal. Bison Bank describes the resulting structure as a single regulated entity, bringing its digital-asset activity into the bank itself.
Which crypto-asset services does Bison Bank plan to offer institutional clients?
The release says the CASP structure provides institutional clients access to custody, exchange and advisory services for crypto-assets. It says these services will operate within the bank’s compliance and risk-management framework. The bank also identifies support for its EUB and USB e-money tokens and for future real-world asset tokenization solutions as part of its strategy.
What are stablecoins and e-money tokens?
Stablecoins are crypto-assets designed to maintain a more stable value, often by referencing another asset or a basket of assets. E-money tokens are a category under EU crypto-asset rules that aim to maintain value by referencing a single official currency. The terms describe types of digital tokens, not a guarantee that their value cannot change.
Joins a limited group of 30 EU banking institutions to offer Crypto-Asset Services under the new legal framework, bridging traditional finance with the digital asset economy.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - 29 July 2026 - Bison Bank has become the first bank in Portugal to operate directly as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) under the European MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation, consolidating its position at the forefront of financial innovation. Bison Bank's CASP activity will be undertaken through the merger of its fully owned subsidiary, Bison Digital Assets (BDA), already approved by the Bank of Portugal. The move follows a journey that began in 2022, when BDA became the first bank-owned Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Portugal."We were pioneers three years ago when we realized the future of banking would involve integrating digital assets. Now, with a clear and solid European framework like MiCA, we are bringing this area into the heart of the bank," states António Henriques, CEO of Bison Bank. "The CASP license and the merger realize our vision for the bank of the future: a single, regulated entity with the robustness of a bank and the agility of the crypto world."
Bison Bank's CASP license, along with the integration of BDA, which in 2025 served approximately 275 clients and handled traded volume of €165 million, positions the bank to accelerate its on-chain strategy. The new CASP structure offers institutional clients simplified access to custody, exchange and advisory services for crypto-assets under a bank-grade compliance and risk management framework. It also supports new products, including the recently launched EUB and USB E-money tokens (stablecoins), and future real-world asset (RWA) tokenization solutions.
This strategy is backed by the bank's strength. Bison Bank closed 2025 with recurring net profit of €5 million, doubling the previous year, and a CET1 capital ratio of 38.5%, amongamong the highest in European banking. Its leadership in digital assets was recognized with the "Portugal's Best for Digital Assets" distinction at the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2026.
Bison Bank, S.A. is a Portuguese bank providing Private Banking, Depositary Bank, Corporate Advisory and Digital Assets services to individual and institutional clients, connecting European and global markets.
Bison Digital Assets S.A. is the first Virtual Asset Service Provider licensed by the Bank of Portugal and fully owned by a Portuguese bank, offering digital asset custody and exchange services.
Hashtag: #BisonBank #MiCA #CASP #CryptoAssets #DigitalAssets #DigitalFinance #FinancialInnovation #EuropeanBanking #BankingInnovation #Fintech #Stablecoins #Tokenization #Blockchain #RegulatedCrypto #Portugal
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
At a glance
- Company
- Bison Bank, S.A.
- Announcement
- Regulatory
- Location
- Lisbon, Portugal
Key figures
- EU banking institutions in the limited group referenced
- 30
- Bison Digital Assets clients served in 2025
- approximately 275
- Bison Digital Assets traded volume in 2025
- €165 million
- Bison Bank recurring net profit in 2025
- €5 million
- Bison Bank CET1 capital ratio
- 38.5%
People
- António HenriquesCEO of Bison Bank
