Kraken Secures MiCA License Expanding Services Across 30 European States

Kraken, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has secured a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) license from the Central Bank of Ireland. This achievement allows Kraken to expand its services across all 30 European Economic Area (EEA) states, marking a significant milestone in the company's European strategy. The MiCA license, which became mandatory last year, enables Kraken to "passport" its services, meaning it can operate seamlessly in multiple European countries under a single regulatory framework. This move is expected to fuel Kraken's expansion with unified compliance, elevated trust, and a powerful edge in the competitive European market.

Kraken's co-CEO, Arjun Sethi, emphasized the company's long-term commitment to regulatory compliance, stating, "Being the first major global crypto platform to receive authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland affirms Kraken’s commitment to building for the long term. Over the past several years, our team has worked tirelessly to meet the CBI’s gold-standard regulatory expectations." This regulatory milestone is part of a broader trend among major cryptocurrency exchanges, with several other platforms also securing MiCA licenses from various EU national authorities.

Before obtaining the MiCA license, Kraken already held Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registrations in several European countries, including Ireland, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. Additionally, the exchange obtained an electronic money license from the Irish regulator last year. This regulatory foundation has positioned Kraken to scale its operations and marketing efforts across the EU, unlocking opportunities to accelerate growth.

Kraken's expansion into traditional finance is also noteworthy. The exchange acquired a Cyprus-based contracts for differences (CFDs) broker to secure a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) license. Last month, it began offering crypto derivatives, including perpetual and fixed-maturity contracts, under the MiFID license. Furthermore, Kraken's acquisition of the US-based futures trading platform NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion and its plans to launch tokenized stocks demonstrate the company's ambition to integrate more deeply into the traditional financial ecosystem.

With the acquisition of the license, Kraken anticipates heightened institutional engagement, having already experienced a doubling in euro-denominated crypto trading to 17.5% of its total platform volume. This step aligns with Kraken's previous milestones, including the EMI license in 2023 and the MiFID license in February 2025, which have collectively laid the groundwork for broader market entry and compliance.

The MiCA license is expected to enhance Kraken's European presence, which has already been strengthened by a sharp rise in euro-denominated spot trading. This regulatory approval not only solidifies Kraken's position in the European market but also sets a precedent for other cryptocurrency exchanges aiming to comply with stringent EU regulations. As larger platforms continue their applications for MiCA licenses, Kraken's early compliance positions it as a leader in the rapidly evolving crypto landscape.

Kraken's regulatory compliance initiatives could catalyze a wave of crypto adoption across the EU, potentially fostering technological advancements and financial integration. The broader crypto community and regulatory bodies have largely welcomed this move, viewing it as a reflection of increasing institutionalization within the industry. This milestone not only enhances Kraken's presence but is poised to set industry standards for regulatory compliance within Europe.