Bitvavo has become the latest crypto exchange to be granted a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license by the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets (AFM), allowing it to operate across Europe under the new regulatory framework.
Bitvavo co-founder and CEO Mark Nuvelstijn confirmed the news in a statement on Friday and expressed his full support for the MiCA process. “We fully support the core principles of MiCAR,” he said, adding:
“For a level playing field in Europe, it is essential that the rules are formulated and enforced consistently across all member states.”
Bitvavo’s risk chief says it was a “constructive collaboration”
Nuvelstijn said the license provides the crypto exchange with clear guidance and confidence to operate across Europe. MiCA is designed to standardize and regulate the crypto market across Europe, focusing on investor protection, financial stability and innovation. MiCA’s licensing window opened on Jan. 1.
Bitvavo chief risk officer Jeetan Patel said the process was rigorous but efficient.
“Over the past period, we have taken all necessary steps in the licensing process and have ensured compliance with the comprehensive MiCAR regulatory requirements,” Patel said.
“We highly value the constructive collaboration with the AFM throughout this process. It has progressed efficiently,” he added.
Crypto firms are flocking to get MiCA-approved
The announcement follows a string of MiCA license approvals in Europe in recent months.
On Wednesday, crypto exchange Kraken said it had received the MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland. On June 21, crypto exchange Coinbase secured a MiCA license from the Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier.
Three weeks prior, on May 29, crypto exchange Bybit obtained a MiCA license from Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA).
Related: European Commission downplays stablecoin risks, counters ECB warning
Meanwhile, in December 2024, crypto payments firm MoonPay reported receiving approval to operate as a licensed crypto business in the Netherlands under the MiCA bill.
The adopted regulatory framework has led to renewed investor confidence across the region. Konstantins Vasilenko, co-founder and chief business development officer at Paybis, told Cointelegraph on June 22 that trading volumes from EU customers jumped 70% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2025, right after the MiCA regulation took effect.
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