“As we continue to expand our services across the globe, our focus on the European market remains a top priority,” said Shannon Kurtas, Kraken’s Co-GM of Pro & Exchange.
By Bena Ilyas
Edited by Marco T. Lanz
Updated
3 mins read
Crypto exchange Kraken expanded its presence in the European crypto market by securing the EU Financial Instruments Market Directive (MiFID) license, according to the company’s blog post on Feb. 3. Approval followed the acquisition of a Cyprus investment company recently authorized by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). The license enables Kraken to provide fully regulated crypto derivatives to advanced traders in select European markets.
BIG NEWS 📣
— Kraken Exchange (@krakenfx) February 3, 2025
We’re excited to announce we've obtained a MiFID license in the EU!
Yet another key milestone in our expansion strategy, allowing us to offer fully compliant derivatives products across selected EU markets.https://t.co/CkvP23KzGc
Shannon Kurtas, Kraken’s Co-GM of Pro & Exchange, emphasized the company’s commitment to European expansion. She stated that global service growth remains a priority, with the EU market playing a central role.
“As we continue to expand our services across the globe, our focus on the European market remains a top priority. This acquisition reflects our confidence in the EU and underscores our commitment to providing a trusted, regulated environment for advanced crypto traders and investors,” said Kurtas.
The European market is one of the most active regions for crypto derivatives trading, making it a crucial growth area for Kraken. The ability to operate from an EU-regulated base aligns with its long-term strategy of catering to advanced traders. The platform will allow them to use various collateral currencies to back positions in a flexible and capital-efficient way.
This is not Kraken’s first step into European regulation. In September 2023, the company obtained an E-Money Institution (EMI) license from the Central Bank of Ireland. That license expanded its euro-based fiat services across all 27 EU member states and the European Economic Area. Additionally, Kraken secured registration as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) with the Bank of Spain, strengthening its regulatory foothold in the region.
In February 2024, Kraken further cemented its European presence by securing a license in the Netherlands. The company obtained a VASP registration from the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) following its acquisition of the Dutch crypto broker BCM in October 2023. That move was part of its broader effort to solidify its footprint in the Dutch market.
Kraken has consistently pushed for a regulatory-first approach to crypto trading. In 2019, it acquired Crypto Facilities, a UK FCA-regulated crypto futures platform. That acquisition led to the creation of the UK’s first licensed crypto futures platform, solidifying Kraken’s commitment to compliance and security.
The exchange continues to lead in regulated trading options for sophisticated investors. The new license enhances compliance with EU standards while broadening access to derivative products. In the coming months, the company will meet regulatory requirements before launching in local EU markets.
Kraken is not the only player making regulatory strides. On January 27, 2025, Bitpanda secured Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) approval from Germany’s BaFin. That approval allows Bitpanda to offer services across 27 EU countries under a single regulatory framework.
Big news: Bitpanda has secured its MiCAR licence, granted by Germany's BaFin – one of Europe’s top financial supervisory authorities. 🚀
— Bitpanda (@Bitpanda_global) January 27, 2025
This sets a new benchmark for transparency, security, and trust in crypto across the EU. With this licence, we’re ready to bring regulated… pic.twitter.com/i1PlxhwK6U
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With over 3 years of crypto writing experience, Bena strives to make crypto, blockchain, Web3, and fintech accessible to all. Beyond cryptocurrencies, Bena also enjoys reading books in her spare time.
