Four Companies Obtain MiCA Licenses from Dutch Regulator
Four digital asset companies have obtained Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) licenses in the Netherlands, allowing them to operate throughout the 27-nation European Union.
Crypto platform MoonPay, digital asset management firm BitStaete, bitcoin lightning fintech ZBD, and prime brokerage Hidden Road received the Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), as indicated by a filing on December 30.
MiCA serves as a regulatory framework for crypto companies, requiring firms to obtain a CASP license from one member state, which permits operation across the entire EU.
The European Union set a deadline of December 30 for member states to implement MiCA; however, not all countries have complied.
Ivan Soto-Wright, CEO and co-founder of MoonPay, stated that MiCA marks a significant moment for the European digital asset industry and expressed pride in collaborating with the Dutch AFM to adopt this new regulatory framework.
Additionally, fan engagement platform Socios.com received authorization from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) for a class 3 Virtual Financial Assets Act (VFAA) license, enabling it to function as a regulated Virtual Financial Asset service provider.
In the U.K., following the EU's lead on crypto regulation, crypto trading firm GSR Markets was added to its crypto register at the end of 2024.