- Bitvavo got a MiCA license to offer digital assets across 30 European countries.
- EU’s MiCA law ensures safer, regulated access to crypto for users across borders.
- Kraken, Coinbase, and Bybit also secured licenses under the MiCA regulatory framework.
Amsterdam-based crypto platform Bitvavo has received a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets (AFM). This approval allows the exchange to legally operate across all 27 EU countries as well as Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The license, granted under the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), removes the need for separate registrations in each jurisdiction.
By meeting MiCA’s detailed requirements, Bitvavo joins a growing list of crypto companies aligning their operations with European regulatory standards. These requirements involve strict protocols for asset security, user protection, and financial transparency. With this license, Bitvavo can now expand its crypto services across the entire European Economic Area under a single regulatory umbrella.
A Unified Framework for Crypto Expansion
Founded in Amsterdam in 2018, Bitvavo has grown into one of Europe’s largest digital asset trading platforms, serving nearly two million users. The company’s model focuses on ease of use, low trading fees, and a secure interface for users of all experience levels.
“This licence is an important milestone for Bitvavo and our users,” said Jeetan Patel, Chief Risk Officer at Bitvavo. “It enables us to offer our services across Europe under a single licence. Over the past period, we have taken all necessary steps in the licensing process and have ensured compliance with the comprehensive MiCAR regulatory requirements. We highly value the constructive collaboration with the AFM throughout this process. It has progressed efficiently.”
Positioning for Competitive Advantage
Bitvavo’s MiCA approval puts it in a stronger position to challenge global exchanges across the Eurozone. CEO and co-founder Mark Nuvelstijn said,
We fully support the core principles of MiCAR. For a level playing field in Europe, it is essential that the rules are formulated and enforced consistently across all member states. This license provides clarity and confidence and enables Bitvavo to fulfill its ambition: to become the leading digital asset trading platform in Europe.
The MiCA license not only streamlines Bitvavo’s ability to offer services across borders but also increases user confidence through uniform regulatory oversight. As onboarding requirements become consistent throughout the EEA, users are expected to benefit from faster access and better protections.
Related: Kraken Secures MiCA License to Expand Crypto Services in EU
MiCA Momentum and Market Impact
Bitvavo’s announcement follows similar approvals for other major platforms in recent weeks. On June 26, Kraken announced that it received a MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland. Coinbase received its license from the Luxembourg financial regulator on June 21. Earlier, on May 29, Bybit secured its MiCA license from Austria’s Financial Market Authority.
According to Konstantins Vasilenko, co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer at Paybis, trading volumes from EU customers increased by 70% in Q1 2025. He attributed the rise directly to the introduction of MiCA, noting a spike in customer trust and cross-border activity.
As this model becomes increasingly accepted by more companies, we are currently witnessing a shift towards a more uniform compliance paradigm, which enables less disruptive competition within the continent.
