Coinbase to Secure EU-Wide MiCA License
Coinbase has become the first U.S.-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange to secure a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license, marking a pivotal moment for the company and the European digital asset ecosystem. The license was granted by Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), authorizing Coinbase to operate legally across all 27 EU member states under the bloc’s new unified crypto regulatory framework.
The MiCA regime, which came into full effect in late 2024, aims to harmonize crypto regulation across Europe by providing a single licensing regime for crypto asset service providers. With this license, Coinbase can now passport its crypto services EU-wide, serving both retail and institutional clients under a single, clear compliance framework.
“MiCA has set the standard, and Luxembourg is leading the way,” said Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase. “We’re all in on Europe.”
Coinbase had initially selected Ireland as its European base in 2023. However, the company has now shifted its EU headquarters to Luxembourg, citing the country’s pro-business environment and crypto-specific regulatory clarity as key factors in the decision.
“This move is not a criticism of Ireland,” said Daniel Seifert, Vice President for EMEA at Coinbase. “Rather, it reflects Luxembourg’s competitive edge in crypto regulation.”
Despite the shift, Coinbase will continue to invest in its Irish operations, with plans to add approximately 50 new roles in Dublin, reinforcing Ireland’s role as a key operations hub.
With the new MiCA license, Coinbase joins other global firms such as Bybit, OKX, and BitGo, which have also received MiCA authorization. However, Coinbase distinguishes itself as the first U.S.-based crypto exchange to achieve full compliance under the new framework. Rival exchange Gemini is also expected to obtain a MiCA license soon, selecting Malta as its EU base.
The license provides Coinbase with significant strategic advantages, including:
- Pan-European access to customers via passporting rights
- A harmonized compliance model across the EU
- Greater regulatory certainty in an otherwise fragmented global crypto landscape
This development signals Coinbase’s growing commitment to the European market, at a time when the regulatory landscape in the U.S. remains uncertain for crypto firms.
