Trade Republic and BitGo Secure BaFin MiCA Licenses, Marking Major Step for EU Crypto Regulation

Published: 2025-05-19 08:34:51 |

Trade Republic, a leading European fintech, and BitGo, a major digital asset custodian, have each secured full Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) licenses from Germany’s BaFin. These approvals position both firms to expand regulated crypto custody, execution, and order transmission services across the European Economic Area (EEA). Trade Republic can now operate its crypto business internally for four million clients in 17 European markets and passport services to all 30 EEA states. BitGo’s MiCA license also enables broader service compliance under the new EU regulatory framework, targeting institutional and corporate clients. BaFin has issued 9 out of the 25 MiCA licenses in Europe, making Germany a key hub for crypto regulation within the EU. Firms including Circle, OKX, BitGo Europe, and MoonPay have secured early MiCA approvals, while heavyweights like Binance, Kraken, and Tether are still applying. As the 2025 transition deadline nears, neobanks and fintechs are fast-tracking licenses to maintain legal crypto operations. This wave of new MiCA licenses signals rising regulatory clarity and growing institutional trust in the maturing European crypto market, potentially fostering increased cross-border activity and strengthening investor protection.

Bullish

The acquisition of MiCA licenses by Trade Republic and BitGo demonstrates advancing regulatory clarity and infrastructure maturity in the European crypto sector. Regulatory approval from BaFin, combined with other major firms like Circle and OKX receiving licenses, legitimizes crypto operations for institutional players and fintech firms. This is likely to boost trader and investor confidence, encourage institutional participation, enhance cross-border activities, and drive fresh inflows into the European crypto market. The strong regulatory environment is seen as a sign of market maturation, which generally supports a bullish sentiment for the sector in both the short and long term.