Europe’s Crypto Maturity Shines as BitGo Unveils Full-Stack Regulated Trading Platform

BitGo, a digital asset infrastructure company managing over $100 billion in assets under custody, has received an extension of its license from Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), enabling it to offer regulated crypto trading services to European institutional clients. This regulatory approval expands BitGo’s existing Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA)-compliant offerings—custody, staking, and transfer services—into a full-stack regulated trading platform. BitGo’s subsidiary, BitGo Europe GmbH, now operates out of Frankfurt and provides over-the-counter (OTC) and electronic trading services for thousands of digital assets and stablecoins. The company’s clients can access deep liquidity from top-tier market makers and exchanges while maintaining their assets in MiCA-compliant cold storage. Brett Reeves, BitGo’s Head of European Sales and Go Network, emphasized the significance of this milestone, calling it a "game-changer" for institutions seeking secure and efficient access to the digital asset markets.

The extension of BitGo’s MiCA license reflects a broader trend of regulatory clarity in the European Union. The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) aims to create a harmonized framework across the EU, promoting transparency, investor protection, and market integrity. BitGo now joins a growing list of crypto service providers, including Bybit, Coinbase, Kraken, and Gemini, that have secured MiCA licenses in 2025. This regulatory alignment is expected to facilitate greater institutional adoption by reducing operational complexity and counterparty risk. For pension funds, asset managers, and other institutional players, the availability of a single, regulated platform for custody, trading, and execution offers significant operational advantages.

BitGo’s expansion into regulated trading services also highlights the growing institutional interest in crypto assets. Improved infrastructure and the emergence of exchange-traded products (ETPs) have driven credibility in the sector, prompting traditional financial institutions to engage more deeply with digital assets. Regulatory advancements in the EU, such as MiCA, and in the United Arab Emirates, have further supported this trend. In the U.S., while regulatory efforts remain fragmented, there are signs of progress, including the proposed Market Structure Bill. However, Europe’s unified approach has positioned it as a more attractive jurisdiction for institutional players seeking legal clarity and operational consistency.

The approval also underscores the EU’s proactive stance in fostering a secure and regulated digital asset ecosystem. By enabling institutions to access liquidity, trading execution, and custody under a single regulatory framework, BitGo’s platform addresses a critical gap in the market. This is particularly important in reducing the operational friction often encountered when dealing with multiple service providers. Altius Labs co-founder Annabelle Huang noted that the next wave of institutional crypto adoption is being driven by fintech companies like Robinhood and Stripe as they develop their own blockchain infrastructures. BitGo’s full-service offering aligns with this trend, enabling institutions to deploy capital more efficiently without compromising on security or compliance.

Market projections indicate that the European crypto sector is poised for continued growth. Statista estimates that cryptocurrency revenue in Europe will reach $26 billion in 2025, with Germany leading adoption in the region. The regulatory tailwinds, including MiCA and increased collaboration between crypto-native companies and traditional finance institutions, are expected to further accelerate this growth. BitGo’s expansion into regulated trading services is thus not only a strategic move for the company but also a reflection of the maturing digital asset ecosystem in Europe. As other European regulators continue to roll out MiCA-compliant frameworks, the continent is emerging as a key hub for institutional crypto activity.