Credit Agricole logo

Buy Bitcoin with Credit Agricole

[✓] last verified 2026-01-28·Reviewed by BankToBTC Team

Data from bank docs & AMF registers · How we verify · Report an error

Generally allows SEPA transfers.

Crypto Compatibility Score: 76/100 (Good)

Score Breakdown:

  • Payment methods: 30/35 pts — fast deposit rails available
  • Bank transfer reliability: 17/25 pts
  • Limits: 12/20 pts
  • Cost: 10/10 pts
  • Evidence: 7/10 pts

Supported payment methods: sepa, sepa-instant

Last verified:

Quick Verdict

No crypto in Ma Banque. SEPA transfers to a PSAN-registered exchange work, but expect SécuriPass prompts and possible delays when activating new beneficiaries.

  • [✗]

    Can you buy Bitcoin in the app?

    No, use an external exchange

  • [✓]

    Can you fund an exchange?

    Yes, using SEPA Credit Transfer

  • [›]

    Best funding method

    SEPA Credit Transfer

  • [!]

    Potential issue

    SécuriPass and new beneficiary delays

Top Exchanges for Credit Agricole

Step-by-step guide to buying Bitcoin with Credit Agricole

Most Crédit Agricole customers fund a regulated exchange using SEPA virement, adding the bénéficiaire and référence. Follow our guide below.

  1. Pick a PSAN-registered exchange
    Use an AMF PSAN-registered exchange to keep transfers aligned with French compliance expectations.
  2. Create your exchange account
    Register and secure the account with two factor authentication.
  3. Complete identity verification
    Verify ID so EUR deposits and withdrawals are enabled.
  4. Get IBAN, BIC, and reference
    In deposits, choose Virement SEPA and copy the exchange IBAN and BIC, plus the reference to include in the motif field.
  5. Send a virement in Ma Banque
    Open Ma Banque, tap Virements then Ajouter un bénéficiaire, enter IBAN and BIC, validate with SécuriPass, then send the virement with the exact reference.
  6. Wait for funds to arrive
    SEPA transfers are often 1 business day; some regional Caisses apply a delay on first payments to new beneficiaries.
  7. Purchase Bitcoin
    Place your BTC order after the deposit clears.
  8. Secure your Bitcoin
    Use a personal wallet if you want self custody.

[!] Troubleshooting

  • If a new beneficiary cannot be used immediately, wait for beneficiary activation delays after adding it in Ma Banque.
  • If you cannot confirm a virement, re-enable SécuriPass or re-register the device, then retry once.
  • If crediting is slow, confirm the reference code is in the libellé and matches exactly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you buy Bitcoin with Crédit Agricole?

Yes. Crédit Agricole does not offer native Bitcoin purchases inside Ma Banque, but funding an exchange by SEPA transfer works. For fewer problems, send EUR to a PSAN registered platform such as Kraken or Bitstamp and double check the recipient details before you confirm. Expect extra checks on a first time beneficiary, especially if the amount is large.

How do I approve a first transfer to a crypto exchange with SécuriPass?

SécuriPass is Crédit Agricole's in app strong authentication, used to validate sensitive actions. Crédit Agricole describes it as allowing you to make a transfer immediately after adding a beneficiary, which is useful when you add an exchange IBAN. If your transfer keeps failing, confirm SécuriPass is activated in Ma Banque before trying again.

Does Crédit Agricole support SEPA Instant for crypto deposits?

Often yes, but it depends on the receiving bank and your account settings. Crédit Agricole explains that instant transfers have per transaction limits and cites a regulatory ceiling of 15,000 euros for a single instant transfer, while banks may set lower limits. If instant is not available, a standard SEPA transfer is the fallback.

Why do Crédit Agricole transfer limits feel different from one region to another?

Crédit Agricole is a network of regional banks, and some limits and features can be set at the caisse régionale level. You will see this most clearly with instant transfer ceilings and beneficiary rules inside Ma Banque. If your friend on another regional Crédit Agricole can send more, it is usually a configuration difference, not a crypto specific block.

Interbank SEPA timing from Crédit Agricole to an exchange, what should I expect?

If SEPA Instant is available and within your plafond, the deposit can land quickly once the exchange credits it. Otherwise, standard SEPA transfers usually settle on a bank business day schedule. Plan for the first transfer to take longer if beneficiary validation and SécuriPass prompts are still pending.

Is it smarter to use card payments or bank transfers from Crédit Agricole for crypto?

Bank transfer is the safer default. Card deposits depend on merchant risk scoring and can be declined more often than a SEPA virement, especially on large amounts. If your goal is reliability, fund an exchange by SEPA and treat cards as a backup for small top ups.

Evidence & Verification

This page references 4 sources: Crédit Agricole SécuriPass Guide, Crédit Agricole Paiement Instantané Guide, AMF Source. Information was compiled from official sources and user reports.

Sources:

How we verify · Report an error

Information can change without notice. Always verify current policies directly with your bank and exchange before making transactions.