Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has received approval to operate under the European Union’s new rules for cryptocurrencies , Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA). According to a blog post , the company secured a license from Luxembourg’s financial regulator, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). This means Coinbase can legally provide crypto services in all 27 EU member countries. Coinbase Makes Luxembourg Its Main Hub It is also worth noting that Coinbase has chosen Luxembourg as its main location for operations in the European Union. This is a change from its previous plan to set up its EU headquarters in Ireland. Importantly, the MiCA license enables the exchange to offer crypto custody, trading, and asset management services. To secure this license, Coinbase had to meet strict rules. These include anti-money laundering (AML) checks, Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, and customer ID checks. As such, the exchange must continue to follow strong rules regarding how it handles user funds and shares information with customers. Meanwhile, the regulatory approval comes when Coinbase is focused on growing internationally. It also comes amid increased scrutiny and ongoing legal issues in the United States. Coinbase’s move also enhances Luxembourg’s reputation as a growing hub for digital finance. MiCA’s Role in EU Crypto Regulation Recall that Coinbase Europe delisted several stablecoins from its platform in December 2024, complying with the MiCA regulation. In a message to its European users, Coinbase mentioned implementing restrictions for stablecoins that fail to meet the MiCA requirement. These include Tether’s USDT , Paxos Standard’s PAX, PayPal USD (PYUSD), Gemini Dollar’s GUSD, GYEN, the Japanese YEN Stablecoin, and DAI. MiCA, passed in 2023, is the first major law to bring all EU countries under one crypto rulebook. The law took effect in 2024 and has enforced crypto companies to register in at least one EU country while following stringent rules, including AML, KYC, and operational guidelines. Bitstamp Secures EU-Wide Crypto License Aside from Coinbase, Bitstamp, one of the oldest crypto exchanges in the world, has also received a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license under the MiCA regulation . Luxembourg’s financial watchdog announced the approval in May. This approval comes a few months after the company gained a MiFID license in 2024, which allowed it to operate a Multilateral Trading Facility under regular financial rules. The MiCA license allows Bitstamp to use the EU’s “passporting” system. Since the exchange is licensed in Luxembourg, it can now offer services in all 27 EU countries without needing separate approval. The post Coinbase Secures EU-Wide Crypto License Under MiCA Rules appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .
