Crypto exchange Bitvavo has secured regulatory approval to operate across the European Union under the bloc’s new Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. The license was issued by the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets (AFM), marking a milestone for one of Europe’s largest digital asset platforms.
In a statement on Friday, Bitvavo CEO Mark Nuvelstijn praised MiCA for providing a clear set of rules designed to balance innovation with investor protection.
“We fully support the core principles of MiCAR,” Nuvelstijn said.
“For a level playing field in Europe, it is essential that the rules are formulated and enforced consistently across all member states.”
The MiCA licensing window formally opened in January, setting in motion a rush among crypto exchanges to secure the regulatory green light before enforcement ramps up later this year.
‘Constructive Collaboration’ With Regulators
Bitvavo’s chief risk officer, Jeetan Patel, described the licensing process as demanding but collaborative, signaling that regulators and firms are learning to work in lockstep as the market matures.
“Over the past period, we have taken all necessary steps in the licensing process and ensured compliance with the comprehensive MiCAR regulatory requirements,” Patel explained.
Patel emphasized that the Dutch AFM had been “constructive” in guiding the company through MiCA’s rigorous checks, which focus on areas including capital requirements, cybersecurity policies, and consumer safeguards.
MiCA aims to create a single regulatory standard for crypto services across the EU, replacing the patchwork of national rules that previously created headaches for exchanges trying to scale across borders.
With the license in hand, Bitvavo now has the legal clarity to expand its trading, custody, and staking services across all 30 European Economic Area member states.
A Wave of MiCA Approvals Is Sweeping Europe
Bitvavo joins a growing list of companies locking in MiCA licenses ahead of enforcement deadlines.
Just days earlier, Kraken announced it had received MiCA authorization from Ireland’s central bank. Coinbase also secured approval in Luxembourg in late June.
In May, Bybit obtained its MiCA license from Austria’s Financial Market Authority, underscoring how competitive the European landscape has become for crypto firms seeking regulatory legitimacy.
The rush toward compliance appears to be paying off. According to Paybis co-founder Konstantins Vasilenko, trading volumes from EU-based customers spiked 70% quarter-on-quarter in early 2025, driven by renewed investor confidence that regulated platforms can offer better protection and transparency.
“MiCA is rapidly becoming a seal of trust that both institutional and retail investors are starting to recognize,” Vasilenko said.
Quick Facts
- Bitvavo is now authorized under MiCA to serve clients across the EU.
- CEO Mark Nuvelstijn called MiCA “essential” for a fair crypto market.
- Kraken, Coinbase, and Bybit have also secured MiCA licenses this year.
- EU crypto trading volumes jumped 70% in Q1 2025 after MiCA took effect.
