Kraken has received a pivotal Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the Central Bank of Ireland, unlocking full regulatory access to all 30 member states of the European Economic Area (EEA).
The approval, announced in a June 25 blog post, strengthens Kraken’s foothold in Europe and enables the platform to broaden its suite of regulated offerings—including crypto trading, derivatives, and payment services—under a unified EU framework. This move builds on Kraken’s previous Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registrations in major European markets such as France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands.
ALT TXT: Kraken now MICA licenced
Source: Kraken
Kraken Co-CEO Arjun Sethi hailed the license as a strategic milestone, stating that authorization from Ireland’s financial regulator, known for its stringent oversight, underscores Kraken’s dedication to responsible innovation in the crypto space.
“Securing a license from the Central Bank of Ireland, with its long heritage and experience as a rigorous financial regulator, isn’t just about compliance. It’s a powerful signal of Kraken’s commitment to expanding the crypto ecosystem through responsible innovation,”
Sethi remarked.
The MiCA license follows Kraken’s February acquisition of a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) license via its Cyprus-based entity. It also complements the exchange’s recent approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which granted Kraken an electronic money institution license in March. That UK license enables the platform to form partnerships with traditional financial institutions and offer enhanced services to local users.
Kraken now joins the ranks of other global exchanges—such as Coinbase, Bitstamp, and Crypto.com—that have secured MiCA-compliant status across Europe through regulatory pathways in countries like Luxembourg and Malta.
In February, Kraken announced plans to delist five stablecoins, including Tether’s USDT, in response to the European Union’s MiCA. The move is aimed at ensuring compliance with the new regulatory framework as the EU tightens oversight on digital assets.
The European Union’s MiCA regulation, fully enforced since December 2024, is designed to bring consistency and oversight to the crypto industry, requiring platforms to obtain licenses and adhere to common operational standards before offering services across the region.
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