Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the Central Bank of Ireland.
Author: Sahil Thakur
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the Central Bank of Ireland. This approval allows Kraken to offer regulated crypto services across all 30 member states of the European Economic Area (EEA), marking a major milestone in its European expansion.
The MiCA license enables Kraken to serve both retail and institutional customers throughout the EU under a single regulatory framework. This license builds on Kraken’s existing compliance efforts. The exchange already holds virtual asset service provider (VASP) registrations in Ireland, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.
“This license reflects that effort and places us in a strong position to expand our product offering, grow our institutional and retail client base and deliver secure, accessible and fully regulated crypto services to millions more people across the EU,” said Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi.
Sethi emphasized that Kraken had worked “tirelessly” to meet the high regulatory standards set by the Central Bank of Ireland. He added that trust remains the most important currency in crypto, and Kraken is committed to earning it.
Before securing the MiCA license, Kraken had already taken steps to deepen its regulatory presence in Europe. In 2023, it received an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license. In February 2025, it gained a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) license. These regulatory milestones allowed Kraken to build a strong compliance foundation leading into MiCA.
The MiCA regulation, which came into effect in late 2024, was introduced to bring regulatory clarity and consistency to the EU crypto market. It sets rules for crypto asset issuance, trading, and custody, and aims to protect investors while fostering innovation.
By securing the license through Ireland, Kraken positions itself to operate seamlessly across the EEA. This allows the firm to expand its services under a unified set of rules, reducing regulatory complexity.
Other major exchanges have followed similar paths. Coinbase recently received its MiCA license via Luxembourg. OKX and Crypto.com have secured MiCA approvals as well. Gemini, the exchange run by the Winklevoss twins, is reportedly nearing approval in Malta.
Not all crypto companies are opting in. Tether, the issuer of the USDT stablecoin, announced it will not seek MiCA registration. This decision has led some exchanges to delist USDT in the EU, anticipating compliance risks once the law is fully enforced.
Kraken, on the other hand, is aligning with the EU’s regulatory push. Its decision to operate under MiCA signals a commitment to long-term growth within a transparent and regulated environment.
With the MiCA license secured, Kraken plans to deepen its presence in the EU by expanding both its product lineup and its customer base. The firm expects to introduce new offerings tailored to regional markets while maintaining a focus on security and compliance.
As MiCA reshapes the EU crypto industry, Kraken’s regulatory readiness could give it a competitive edge. With licenses in place and a growing European footprint, the exchange is now positioned to serve millions more users across a unified and legally consistent landscape.
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