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Kraken’s MiCA license unlocks seamless access to 30 European markets, fueling its expansion with unified compliance, elevated trust, and a powerful edge in regulated crypto services.
With MiCA License, Kraken Unifies European Crypto Compliance and Broadens Reach
Regulatory clarity in the European Union has opened the floodgates for licensed crypto expansion, offering major players a gateway to 30 Economic Area member states. Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken announced on June 25 that it has secured a license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) from the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI).
This authorization enables Kraken to operate regulated crypto services across the entire EEA bloc. The company described the move as transformational for its regional footprint:
This marks a pivotal milestone in our European expansion, unlocking the ability to scale faster across the region by offering regulated services and engaging directly with clients across all 30 EEA member states.
Kraken already maintains Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registrations in markets like France, Belgium, and Spain, but the MiCA license brings cohesion and reach to its previously fragmented compliance framework.
The firm emphasized the strategic importance of this regulatory recognition. Co-CEO Arjun Sethi stated:
Being the first major global crypto platform to receive authorization from the CBI affirms Kraken’s commitment to building for the long term.
He added that securing approval from such a stringent regulator is “a powerful signal of Kraken’s commitment to expanding the crypto ecosystem through responsible innovation.” This license aligns with existing MiFID and EMI approvals already held by Kraken, positioning the firm to broaden offerings in areas such as derivatives, payments, and institutional-grade services across the continent.
By adhering to MiCA’s uniform standards, Kraken enhances user trust with stronger consumer protections, increased transparency, and enhanced oversight. As debates continue over crypto’s regulatory risks, Kraken’s regulatory path underscores how harmonized frameworks can support scale while reinforcing investor safeguards.