Coinbase has made a major stride in its global expansion by becoming the first American cryptocurrency exchange to receive the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from Luxembourg’s top financial regulator. This approval marks a significant milestone for the company and opens the door to providing regulated crypto services across all 27 European Union countries under one unified framework.
A Strategic Move to Luxembourg
With the MiCA license in hand, Coinbase is relocating its main European hub from Ireland to Luxembourg. The company praised Luxembourg’s forward-thinking regulatory environment and its support for financial innovation. According to Coinbase, the move aligns with its broader mission to advance crypto adoption across Europe by operating within a clear and trusted legal framework.
Despite shifting its core operations, Coinbase isn’t pulling out of Ireland. In fact, it plans to expand its workforce in Dublin by adding 50 new roles. This indicates a continued commitment to the Irish market while using Luxembourg as its central regulatory base.
MiCA: A New Chapter for Crypto in Europe
The MiCA framework is a landmark regulation introduced by the European Union to standardize crypto asset rules across member states. It aims to enhance consumer protection, prevent market abuse, and bring more legal clarity to the crypto space. For exchanges like Coinbase, it offers a streamlined way to operate across the EU without the need to register in each individual country.
Other major players in the crypto space, including Bybit and OKX, have also secured MiCA licenses, showing strong industry momentum toward compliance and responsible growth.
Coinbase leadership emphasized that this development represents a key step forward for the future of crypto in Europe. By embracing regulation and investing in its European presence, the company is positioning itself as a leader in the next phase of digital finance on the continent.
