MiCA Framework Brings 4 Leading Crypto Exchanges Under Unified EU Regulations

Four leading cryptocurrency exchanges have recently secured full licenses under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).

MiCA, which became effective on December 30, 2024, provides a unified regulatory framework for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) operating across the European Economic Area (EEA).

Crypto.com announced on January 27 that its Malta entity received a MiCA license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). According to the press release shared with CryptoPotato, the license will enable the platform to passport its services across all 30 EEA member states, providing its extensive range of crypto services under a comprehensive regulatory framework.

This development follows the company’s in-principle approval earlier in the month. The MiCA license joins Crypto.com’s growing list of global approvals, including key licenses in the UK, Singapore, Dubai, the US, and Australia.

On the same day, OKX announced that it secured a MiCA license through its Malta hub. OKX’s services include OTC trading, spot trading, bot, and copy trading, as well as euro-based trading for over 240 cryptocurrencies. With features like free euro deposits and withdrawals via bank transfers, localized language support, and trusted payment methods, the exchange said that it aims to simplify digital asset trading across the EEA. OKX also plans to passport its license to all EEA states, further streamlining its expansion in the European market.

Bitpanda, an Austrian fintech unicorn, too received its MiCA license from Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) on the same day. It is the second CASP to be licensed by BaFin since MiCA’s full implementation on December 30, 2024.

Boerse Stuttgart Digital Custody was the first German CASP to secure a MiCA license, granted by BaFin on January 17. The Europe-wide license supports its goal of becoming a regulated infrastructure provider for banks, brokers, and asset managers.