Bitvavo Secures MiCA License in the Netherlands, Expanding Crypto Access Across EU

Bitvavo, the largest euro-denominated spot crypto exchange in the world, has officially received its Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) license from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), opening the door for it to legally operate across all 27 European Union member states.

This regulatory milestone positions Bitvavo alongside other major exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken, which recently received their own MiCA licenses from authorities in Luxembourg and Ireland, respectively. The license allows Bitvavo to provide crypto services under a single, unified EU regulatory framework—a key shift aimed at streamlining oversight across the region.

“We highly value the constructive collaboration with the AFM throughout this process,” said Bitvavo’s Chief Risk Officer Jeetan Patel. “It has progressed efficiently.”

MiCA came into full effect at the end of 2024, representing the EU’s first comprehensive set of rules for the digital asset market. The legislation is designed to ensure greater consumer protection, financial stability, and market integrity, while allowing licensed firms to operate across the EU without needing separate approvals in each country.

Bitvavo CEO Mark Nuvelstijn emphasized the broader implications of the license for the company’s future:

“For a level playing field in Europe, it is essential that the rules are formulated and enforced consistently across all member states. This licence provides clarity, confidence, and enables Bitvavo to fulfil its ambition: to become the leading digital asset trading platform in Europe.”

The Netherlands has recently been active in licensing crypto firms under MiCA. In addition to Bitvavo, MoonPay and three other firms were granted approval toward the end of last year. Meanwhile, crypto exchange Gemini is reportedly nearing final MiCA approval in Malta, which would add another major player to the EU’s growing list of licensed platforms.