Feb 12, 2025

Bitpanda Expands in UK After FCA Approval – What It Means for Crypto Adoption

Austrian cryptocurrency platform Bitpanda has announced its expansion into the United Kingdom after securing regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This move marks a significant milestone for the firm, allowing it to offer over 500 crypto assets to UK investors and enhance its presence in a key financial market.

What This Means for UK Investors

For retail investors, this expansion means access to Bitpanda’s industry-leading product range, including:

  • 500+ cryptocurrencies – The widest selection of cryptocurrencies available on a secure platform.
  • Bitpanda Staking – The ability to earn rewards on digital assets.
  • Bitpanda Savings Plans – Automatic asset purchases on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis for long-term investing.
  • Bitpanda Crypto Indices – A simple way to diversify portfolios and support key investment themes.

For banks, financial institutions, and crypto platforms, Bitpanda’s FCA approval means they can integrate regulated crypto services into their offerings. Through Bitpanda Technology Solutions (BTS), major UK banks and fintech companies can seamlessly offer crypto trading, investment, and custody services with full regulatory oversight.

The UK’s financial market is one of the most influential in the world, and regulatory clarity plays a crucial role in increasing investor confidence. Bitpanda’s entry into this market brings an additional layer of legitimacy to the crypto space, offering institutional and retail investors a platform that aligns with the UK’s strict regulatory framework.

Bitpanda’s Temporary Halt in UK Services and Its Return

Bitpanda’s return to the UK crypto market follows a temporary halt in onboarding new UK users in 2023. The suspension was a response to new FCA crypto marketing regulations, particularly the introduction of the Financial Promotions (FinProm) Regime in October 2023. These stricter compliance requirements led to major adjustments for crypto platforms operating in the UK.

Despite the pause, existing customers were able to continue using their accounts. Now, with full regulatory approval, Bitpanda has resumed onboarding new users, providing them access to its full suite of crypto brokerage services.

Bitpanda is Built for Growth

Bitpanda’s rapid growth from 1 million users in 2019 to 6 million by December 2024 reflects its commitment to innovation and user trust. With the MiCAR license, the company is positioned for even faster expansion in 2025, leveraging EU-wide synergies to enhance its services and community.

This is just the beginning. Bitpanda plans to reopen its UK office and expand its team to develop products tailored for British investors. With its FCA approval, Bitpanda is now positioned to become the leading regulated crypto investment platform in the UK.

Additionally, Bitpanda’s regulatory-compliant infrastructure makes it an attractive partner for financial institutions looking to integrate crypto services. As the demand for regulated digital asset investment solutions continues to grow, Bitpanda is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of crypto adoption in the UK.

Bitpanda’s Regulatory Strategy and EU Expansion

Bitpanda’s regulatory push in the UK follows its recent success in securing a license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework on January 23, 2025. The MiCA approval allows Bitpanda to operate seamlessly across all 27 EU member states under a unified regulatory regime.

With its dual regulatory foothold in both the UK and EU, Bitpanda is positioning itself as a trusted and compliant digital asset provider in Europe. According to Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Bitpanda’s UK crypto offerings will mirror its EU services, with no current plans to introduce UK-specific cryptocurrencies.

“Our range is constantly expanding, with over 100 new coins listed last year alone. While we’ll always look to provide the best possible range of cryptocurrencies to our users, there are no plans currently to list UK-specific coins. Therefore, our crypto offer in the UK won’t differ from that in the EU,” he stated.

The Impact on UK’s Crypto Market and Adoption

Bitpanda’s expansion comes at a time when crypto adoption in the UK is experiencing regulatory clarity but also increased compliance pressure. Several exchanges, including Coinbase, Crypto.com, and Kraken, have been delisting certain tokens to ensure MiCA compliance. This trend has raised questions about the availability of major assets such as Tether’s USDT, the largest stablecoin in the market.

By entering the UK with a fully compliant structure, Bitpanda is setting a precedent for crypto firms navigating regulatory landscapes while maintaining a diverse asset offering.

Final Thoughts: A Step Toward Institutional Adoption?

Bitpanda’s FCA approval signals a stronger integration of crypto into mainstream finance. With institutional players increasingly seeking regulatory-compliant platforms, Bitpanda’s expansion could pave the way for:

  • Increased institutional investment in UK crypto markets
  • Higher consumer confidence due to FCA oversight
  • Greater regulatory dialogue between crypto firms and policymakers

As regulatory clarity improves, Bitpanda’s growth in the UK could serve as a blueprint for other crypto firms looking to enter regulated markets while maintaining a broad asset selection.

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