Can I Buy Bitcoin with Societe Generale?

Societe Generale retail banking does not support direct Bitcoin or crypto purchases. Instead, clients invest by transferring Euros to a regulated exchange in France that holds PSAN registration with the French AMF or operates under EU MiCA standards.

The best funding option is Virement SEPA Instantané. This method settles immediately and authorizes quickly via the Pass Sécurité mobile feature. While Societe Generale Visa or Mastercard deposits offer instant access, exchanges charge higher fees, ranging from 1.5% to 3%. 

Once funds arrive, you can trade Euros for Bitcoin or stablecoins on the compliant platform.

How to Buy Crypto with Societe Generale

Societe Generale clients can invest in crypto by funding a regulated broker like eToro. The platform operates under EU MiCA standards and is a top choice for French investors due to its AMF registration status (PSAN).

Beyond Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, eToro supports trading in crypto-exposed equities and ETFs like Coinbase or MicroStrategy. Investors can also utilize staking features and copy trading tools to automate strategies within a supervised environment.

Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Crypto with Societe Generale on eToro

1. Register on eToro: Create an account on eToro and complete the mandatory identity verification (KYC) required for EU-compliant platforms.
2. Deposit Euros: Transfer funds using a standard SEPA transfer via the Societe Generale app or use your Carte Bancaire. SEPA transfers authorized via Pass Sécurité generally offer the lowest fees.
3. Select Your Asset: Navigate to the crypto market section and choose Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another digital asset.
4. Execute the Trade: Input your investment amount in Euros, review the transaction costs, and confirm the order. The asset will reflect instantly in your portfolio for management or withdrawal.

Societe Generale Fees and Deposit Limits

Review fee structures before funding your exchange account to minimize costs, particularly regarding currency conversion and transfer types.

• Deposits: Virement Instantané is the most efficient option. Following recent EU regulations, these transfers are typically free for Societe Generale clients (via Appli SG) and settle immediately. While Carte Bancaire (Visa/Mastercard) offers speed, it often triggers currency conversion fees if the exchange is processed in USD. Using eToro Money provides a local EUR IBAN that completely bypasses the standard 1.5% FX fee.
• Withdrawals: A fixed $5 USD fee applies to funds returned to your Societe Generale account.
• Limits: Societe Generale typically caps instant transfers at €15,000 per transaction. You can adjust this limit ("Plafond de virement") instantly in your Espace Client to match eToro's higher daily allowances (up to €100,000).
• Trading: Orders carry a flat 1% spread without additional commission tickets.

Routing deposits through eToro Money ensures lower overall costs than platforms like Coinbase, where combined conversion and purchase fees frequently exceed 2%.

Societe Generale Cryptocurrency Policy

Societe Generale maintains a bifurcated approach to digital assets. While its subsidiary, SG–FORGE, issues institutional-grade stablecoins (EUR CoinVertible) on public blockchains, the retail banking division does not provide an interface for buying Bitcoin or holding private keys.

For individuals, the bank acts solely as a fiat gateway. You may transfer funds to external platforms provided they adhere to French compliance laws. The bank authorizes Virement SEPA transfers specifically to entities holding PSAN registration with the AMF.

Security Warning: Societe Generale employs rigorous anti-fraud protocols. Transfers to offshore venues lacking AMF oversight are routinely blocked. To ensure efficient validation via Pass Sécurité, strictly utilize platforms with confirmed regulatory status in France.

Best Alternative Exchanges for Societe Generale Customers

Societe Generale clients looking beyond eToro can use several MiCA-compliant or AMF-registered platforms that integrate cleanly with French banking standards and regulation.

• Kraken: An AMF-registered PSAN that supports Virement Instantané for immediate SEPA funding from Société Générale, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay. It offers strong liquidity across 450+ assets, institutional-grade security, audited Proof of Reserves, and fees from 0.16% maker and 0.26% taker on Kraken Pro.
• Bitpanda: A regulated European fintech with full PSAN registration, suitable for French bank users. It supports fast SEPA transfers and card payments, covering over 3,000 digital assets including crypto indices, stocks, and commodities, with tools designed for recurring investments.
• Coinhouse: Based in Paris and among the first AMF-registered PSANs, Coinhouse provides a dedicated French IBAN to reduce bank transfer flags from institutions like Société Générale. It supports 70+ assets, offers staking services, segregated custody, and French-language customer support.

Societe Generale customers should compare custody standards, euro funding speed, and asset coverage to choose the regulated platform that best fits their portfolio strategy.

What is Societe Generale?

Societe Generale is a Tier-1 multinational financial group and a globally systemically important bank (G-SIB), distinct from France’s mutualist networks. It operates a centralized universal banking model serving roughly 26 million clients, spanning corporate, investment, and retail banking. 

Core offerings include the Sobrio account package and BoursoBank, formerly Boursorama, France’s largest online bank. The group also maintains a strong presence in financing and insurance through subsidiaries such as Sogécap and Ayvens.

For crypto investors, this scale is relevant. Societe Generale’s pro-innovation stance, led by its regulated crypto unit SG-FORGE and the EURCV stablecoin, makes it a dependable, high-limit euro on-ramp for funding external brokerage accounts through SEPA or instant transfers.

Final Thoughts

Societe Generale operates as a fiat gateway rather than a direct crypto broker. While its retail app blocks direct Bitcoin purchases to strictly manage risk, the bank’s institutional embrace of blockchain via SG-FORGE positions it as one of the most reliable Tier-1 on-ramps in France. 

For the most cost-effective strategy, investors should bypass the 1.5% card fees and utilize Virement Instantané to fund AMF-registered platforms, ensuring immediate settlement without triggering security algorithms.