Alfonso Gómez (CEO BBVA Switzerland): “Banks are responsible for ensuring the security of crypto services”
BBVA once again attended the ‘Digital Assets’ Forum organized by El Confidencial. For the eighth time, the event brought together the Spanish crypto ecosystem, which is starting to move beyond the experimentation phase and roll out real services following the entry into force of MiCA. In this context, BBVA has established itself as an experienced player, as it was the first traditional European bank to offer a cryptoasset service in Switzerland in 2021, and the first to offer it in Spain. Alfonso Gómez, CEO of BBVA Switzerland, stressed the financial sector’s responsibility in supporting the consolidation of digital assets and the importance of offering customers safe, reliable solutions.
Gómez was very clear in his presentation: “Banks have the responsibility to offer secure crypto services.” In this regard, he underscored the benefit of BBVA having its own custody platform, a key aspect that allows the bank to integrate traditional and digital assets within the same environment.
The platform developed by BBVA offers customers a consolidated view of all their investments – both traditional and digital. This convergence not only makes it easier to manage investments, it also significantly reduces operational and cybersecurity risks.
“When processes are managed by institutions with experience, the right tools and adequate resources, it significantly reduces risk for customers and their confidence multiplies,” Gómez explained.
The BBVA Switzerland CEO insisted that in the finance sector, innovation does not mean moving quickly without direction in response to all the new technologies, such as those emerging around blockchain, but rather acting with clarity and responsibility. “It is more important to have a clear vision of where you are headed than to move forward without a defined direction. The priority will always be to maintain customer confidence and security,” he said.
Finally, Gómez recalled that BBVA’s aim is to support its customers in their drive to go further, combining the best of traditional banking with digital innovation. “Customers are our most valuable asset, and our mission is to protect and guide them in a rapidly changing environment,” he concluded.