Bitvavo, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, has acquired a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license, as announced by the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets (AFM). This significant milestone permits Bitvavo to extend its operations throughout Europe under the newly established regulatory framework.
Bitvavo co-founder and CEO, Mark Nuvelstijn, affirmed the development on Friday, voicing his entire backing for the MiCA initiative. “We wholeheartedly endorse the central tenets of MiCAR,” he stated. He further stressed the necessity for consistent rules formulation and enforcement across all European countries to ensure a uniform playing field.
The company’s chief risk officer, Jeetan Patel, described the license acquisition as a result of “constructive collaboration”. He highlighted that the license offers Bitvavo the assurance and clear guidance needed to operate confidently in Europe.
Patel appreciated the AFM’s cooperation throughout the process, which he termed as efficient and rigorous. He added, “In the recent past, we have undertaken all the required steps in the licensing procedure and have confirmed compliance with the comprehensive MiCAR regulatory prerequisites.”
The news follows a series of MiCA license approvals across Europe. Notably, Kraken secured its license from the Central Bank of Ireland, Coinbase from the Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, and Bybit from Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA).
Moreover, in December 2024, MoonPay, a crypto payments company, was approved to operate as a licensed crypto business in the Netherlands under the MiCA legislation. This regulatory framework has triggered a boost in investor confidence across Europe, with trading volumes from EU customers increasing by 70% in Q1 2025, as reported by Paybis’ co-founder and chief business development officer, Konstantins Vasilenko.
