Coinbase Secures EU-Wide MiCA License, Taps Luxembourg as European Hub
Hey FinTech Fanatic!
Coinbase has become the first U.S. crypto exchange to obtain a MiCA license under the EU’s new crypto regulation framework, selecting Luxembourg as its new central hub for the region.
Granted by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), the license allows Coinbase to legally offer crypto services across all 27 EU member states, a major milestone under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime that took full effect in late 2024.
“MiCA has set the standard, and Luxembourg is leading the way,” said CEO Brian Armstrong, adding that Coinbase is “all in on Europe.”
While Coinbase originally positioned Ireland as its EU base in 2023, the company has now pivoted to Luxembourg due to its pro-business climate and clear crypto-specific laws.
Daniel Seifert, Coinbase’s EMEA VP, said the move wasn’t a knock on Ireland but rather a recognition of Luxembourg’s regulatory edge.
Coinbase still plans to expand its Dublin office and add ~50 new roles there, maintaining Ireland as a key operational hub in the region.
Coinbase joins firms like Bybit, OKX, and BitGo in securing MiCA licenses, but stands out as the first U.S.-headquartered exchange to fully comply. Rival Gemini is also expected to receive a MiCA license soon, choosing Malta as its EU base.
With the license, Coinbase gains the right to:
- Passport crypto services across the EU
- Serve both retail and institutional clients under a single compliance framework
- Operate with regulatory clarity at a time when global crypto rules are still fragmented
Read more global FinTech industry updates below 👇 and I'll be back with more tomorrow!
Cheers,
#FINTECHREPORT
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PAYMENTS NEWS
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BLOCKCHAIN/CRYPTO NEWS
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PARTNERSHIPS
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DONEDEAL FUNDING NEWS
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M&A
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