Coinbase Expands Presence in Europe with Luxembourg MiCA License

American cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has officially received a license under the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulatory initiative from the Luxembourg Financial Sector Supervision Commission (CSSF). This permit allows the company to provide crypto services in 27 countries of the European Union, including trading, custody of digital assets, and crypto payments.

A new level of Coinbase presence in Europe

According to Daniel Seifert, vice president and managing director of Coinbase for the EMEA region, the exchange previously held separate licenses in countries such as Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.

“We now have the opportunity to operate under uniform rules across the entire European market, which increases transparency and makes it easier to enter new markets,” Seifert said.

MiCA as an attempt at regulatory unification

The MiCA license is designed to unite previously disparate national cryptocurrency regulatory regimes under a single legal framework, making the European Union one of the first major jurisdictions to take a comprehensive approach to regulating digital assets.

For Coinbase, this means not only simplified legal processes, but also access to a single market with a population of over 450 million people.

Criticism from industry experts

However, not all industry representatives are convinced of the effectiveness of the new approach. Peter Kirk, CEO of UK-based crypto company ICONOMI, warns of the risk of regulatory arbitrage when crypto companies choose jurisdictions with more lenient requirements.

“While the MiCA initiative aims to unify regulation, differences in practical implementation between EU member states could lead to lower standards and risks for consumers,” he told Decrypt.

Other players with MiCA licenses

Coinbase is not the only crypto exchange to receive a MiCA license. Other international platforms such as OKX, Crypto.com, and Bybit have also gained access to the European single market.

Conclusion: A new chapter for Europe’s crypto industry

The introduction of MiCA marks a new era of crypto regulation in the EU, offering clearer rules of the game for companies and increased protection for users. For Coinbase, this is not only a strategic advantage, but also an important signal of its commitment to operating within a strict but clear legal framework.