BPCE Opens Retail Crypto Trading

Dimon Warns Europe Growing Weaker and Nvidia Chief Flags China Advantage

BPCE Opens Retail Crypto Trading

French banking group BPCE is preparing to introduce crypto trading to retail users, beginning with two million clients across its Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Épargne apps. The launch marks a phased rollout, with full access expected to reach roughly twelve million customers by 2026. Users will be able to buy and sell four major digital assets — bitcoin, ether, solana and USDC — through a dedicated digital asset account. This account is operated by Hexarq, BPCE’s crypto-oriented subsidiary, and will carry a €2.99 monthly subscription fee, alongside a 1.5% transaction commission with a minimum charge of one euro.

The bank intends to observe usage and technical performance during the initial rollout before expanding the service nationwide. BPCE joins a growing list of European institutions entering the crypto market. Other banks, including BBVA, Santander and Raiffeisen Bank, have already begun offering similar retail access to digital assets through integrated trading services.

Dimon Warns Europe Growing Weaker

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has raised concerns over Europe’s economic direction, arguing that excessive bureaucracy and slow decision-making are weakening the region. Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Dimon said Europe’s strong social safety systems are valuable, but also noted that heavy regulation has pushed away investment, innovation, and business growth. While he acknowledged that some European leaders understand the problem, he emphasized that political complexity makes reform difficult.

Dimon has repeatedly warned that European fragmentation poses a strategic risk to the global economy and to the United States. He highlighted the value of the euro and Europe’s commitment to peace, but warned that reduced military strength and difficulty reaching consensus within the EU may threaten stability. A weakened Europe, he argued, ultimately harms the U.S., one of its closest allies. Dimon urged long-term American support to strengthen the continent.

The CEO also pointed to JPMorgan’s expanding commitment to U.S. economic security, including large-scale investment in defense, manufacturing, and strategic technologies.

Nvidia Chief Flags China Advantage

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says China currently holds a major advantage over the U.S. when it comes to building AI infrastructure, pointing to the country’s speed of construction and greater energy capacity. In a recent discussion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Huang noted that constructing a U.S.-based data center capable of running an AI supercomputer can take roughly three years. By contrast, he said China can complete massive projects—such as hospitals—within days.

Huang also emphasized that China has nearly double the national energy capacity of the United States, despite having a smaller economy, and warned this gap could influence the future of AI development. However, he stressed that Nvidia still maintains a lead in advanced AI chips and semiconductor technology, though he cautioned against underestimating China’s manufacturing capabilities.

The U.S. is preparing significant investment to meet rising AI demand, with analysts estimating $50–$105 billion in new data center buildouts over the next year.

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.