Kraken Secures MiCA License for Pan-European Crypto Services

Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has announced that it has received a MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland. This license allows Kraken to provide compliant crypto services across all 30 member states of the European Economic Area (EEA). This achievement marks a significant milestone for Kraken, following its acquisition of an Electronic Money Institution license in 2023 and MiFID approval in February 2025.

The MiCA license, under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, enables Kraken to scale its operations and marketing efforts across the EEA. This regulatory approval allows Kraken to offer regulated bitcoin and crypto services, providing clients with the assurance that Kraken’s services adhere to a consistent, EU-wide set of regulatory standards. These standards include stronger consumer protections, increased transparency, and robust oversight, reinforcing long-term trust in the market.

Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken, highlighted that securing this license is not just about compliance but also a powerful signal of Kraken's commitment to responsible innovation and long-term growth. The MiCA license builds on Kraken's existing regulatory and operational foundation, enabling unified passporting and pan-European service delivery. This significantly expands Kraken’s market reach and allows the company to extend its regulated offerings to millions of clients across the EU, supporting significant growth opportunities across retail, professional, and institutional client segments.

Kraken has already established a strong presence in key European markets, holding Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registrations in several countries. The company has been a leading force in euro-denominated crypto trading, having introduced the first BTC/EUR trading pair in 2013. Today, Kraken’s platform is the most liquid and trusted for euro trading, reflecting its deep roots in the region. The euro now accounts for a significant portion of global fiat spot crypto trading volume, indicating the growing prominence of European markets.

In recent years, Kraken has expanded its operational, product, and regulatory footprint across Europe. The company acquired Dutch crypto broker BCM, enabling direct access to key EU markets. Kraken also launched MiFID II-regulated derivatives, offering compliant futures trading for sophisticated European clients. Additionally, Kraken broadened its asset capabilities via the acquisition of NinjaTrader, paving the way to integrate traditional finance derivatives. The company partnered with Mastercard, allowing Kraken clients across the UK and Europe to spend their crypto assets at over 150 million merchants worldwide. Kraken also deployed Kraken Embed, a turnkey Crypto-as-a-Service solution, now live with Dutch neobank bunq.

With the MiCA regime now in effect, Kraken is entering its next phase of European expansion, delivering trusted, innovative, and compliant crypto services to users across the continent. The company remains committed to building for the long term, earning trust through responsible innovation and compliance with regulatory standards. Kraken will continue to invest in localized experiences, partnerships, and talent across Europe to meet the diverse needs of local markets.