LISBON, March 25, 2026 – Bison Bank has won the “Portugal’s Best for Digital Assets” award at the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2026, in a ceremony held on March 19th, in London. The distinction recognizes the excellence of the Portuguese bank in offering digital asset solutions to high-net-worth and institutional clients, in a sector undergoing profound regulatory and technological transformation.
The Euromoney award is one of the most credible references in the global financial sector. For more than two decades, this program has honored the best investment banking, private banking, and wealth management institutions worldwide, regionally, and by country, awarding names such as Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, UBS, and Julius Baer. Being recognized in this context places Bison Bank alongside some of the leading financial institutions globally.
The Euromoney jury, composed of independent industry experts, evaluated demanding criteria such as the evolution of digital assets under custody, penetration within the client base, the robustness of risk management and regulatory compliance processes, as well as the sophistication of the digital channels and educational content provided to clients.
A growth and diversification strategy validated by the numbers
The award follows a consistent trajectory of financial growth for Bison Bank in its banking and digital asset areas. In the latest reported results for the 2024 fiscal year, Bison Bank presented a net profit of €2.5 million, more than four times the €0.6 million recorded in 2023, with a banking income of €12.1 million, equivalent to a 42% growth compared to the previous year. Assets under management reached €3.3 billion, and the bank has over 4,300 clients in more than 140 countries – numbers that, according to a source from Bison Bank, were largely surpassed in 2025, as will be confirmed in the upcoming results announcement. Financial solidity is also evidenced by a Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio of 37.4%, one of the highest in the European banking sector.
Innovation within a regulatory framework
Bison Digital Assets (BDA) – the first virtual asset service provider licensed by the Bank of Portugal and owned by a bank – recorded positive results for the first time in 2024, with a transaction volume of €130 million, triple the previous year, and a base of over 150 high-net-worth institutional and individual clients. In addition to the custody and execution of digital assets, BDA has been developing capabilities for the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), with applications in the investment fund and real estate sectors, among others. As part of the transition to the European MiCA regulation, the merger of BDA into the bank’s main structure is planned, with the aim of creating synergies between banking and digital asset activities, thereby expanding the bank’s direct range of financial services to include digital assets.
The first Portuguese stablecoin
In parallel with this performance, the bank has been developing a set of strategic initiatives that mark its recent journey, including the announcement that it intends to issue an Electronic Money Token which, upon authorization by the Bank of Portugal, will be the first stablecoin to be issued by a bank in Portugal, in accordance with the European MiCA regulation.
António Henriques, CEO of Bison Bank, stated: “Being recognized by Euromoney as the best bank in Portugal for digital assets is a validation of our strategy. We have sought to be at the forefront of the digital transformation of finance, in a regulated, secure manner, and with concrete results for our clients. This award belongs to the entire team of Bison Bank and Bison Digital Assets, as well as to all the clients who have trusted us to navigate this new financial paradigm.”
A recognition that adds to a trajectory of distinctions
The Euromoney award adds to a series of recent international recognitions. In 2025, Bison Bank was named “Best Digital Asset Bank – Portugal” by World Business Outlook and received the “Outstanding Contribution to the Future of Digital Finance” distinction from Global Business & Finance Magazine, in addition to the “Best Custodian & Depositary Bank – Portugal” award from Finance World Review. Nationally, the bank received the “Escolha Acertada” quality seal from DECO PROteste and the “Innovation and Development Award” from the Association of Chinese Companies in Portugal, in recognition of its role in strengthening Portuguese-Chinese economic relations.