BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France, is preparing to allow its customers to invest in cryptocurrencies as early as next year, according to a report by French financial news outlet The Big Whale.  The move comes as cryptocurrencies gain increasing acceptance from mainstream financial institutions. BPCE's plans to offer cryptocurrency investment services through its subsidiary, Hexarq, which recently obtained a PSAN license from the French financial markets regulator (AMF). With total assets of 863 billion euros (approximately $897 billion) and around 150 million customers, BPCE's entry into the cryptocurrency market is a significant development. It signals a growing confidence in the long-term prospects of digital assets, especially among traditional financial institutions.  BPCE's decision to offer cryptocurrency investment services is expected to make it easier for French investors to access and trade digital assets. It could also further legitimize cryptocurrencies and encourage wider adoption in France and beyond.