Yeliz Akmaca 
Coinbase has received the European Union’s comprehensive crypto regulation MiCA license. With this license, the company can operate across EU countries with a single license. This grants uninterrupted access to the vast European market of approximately 450 million people. The MiCA regulation enhances transparency in crypto services while also protecting investors. With the new license, Coinbase establishes a solid foundation for its European operations.
This license enables the company to operate under a single legal framework across Europe. Thus, Coinbase will carry out its crypto operations uniformly in all 27 EU member states.
MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) sets standards for crypto asset markets in Europe. Transparency, investor protection, and market integrity are the cornerstones of this regulation. MiCA establishes a unified regulatory structure across the EU for the first time, bringing clarity to the crypto industry. As a result, Coinbase has consolidated its separate licenses in countries like Germany, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, and Spain into one single license.
Coinbase Chooses Luxembourg as European Hub
Coinbase obtained the MiCA license from Luxembourg’s financial regulator CSSF. The company had based its European headquarters in Ireland since 2023. However, with this license, it officially decided to move its European base to Luxembourg. Thanks to its business-friendly environment and thoughtful regulatory approach toward digital assets, Luxembourg became Coinbase’s country of choice.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong told CNBC:
“Coinbase is focused on Europe and we are advocating for the future of crypto across the continent. MiCA has set the standard, and Luxembourg is showing leadership in this space.”
Competition Is Approaching: Gemini Also Seeks a License
While Coinbase has taken the first step with this license, competition is on the horizon. The Winklevoss brothers’ exchange Gemini plans to obtain a MiCA license through Malta. In January 2025, Gemini selected Malta as its European MiCA hub. This development signals that competition in the European crypto sector is set to intensify.
With this license, the exchange gains the advantage of providing legal, reliable, and integrated services to the 450 million-strong European market. Crypto trading, wallet services, and other digital asset solutions are now consolidated under one roof. With MiCA, the company has streamlined, accelerated, and strengthened its European operations.
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