Coinbase gains MiCA approval in EU

Luxembourg’s strong digital finance policies attract Coinbase as it becomes the first US crypto exchange with full MiCA recognition.

Coinbase gains approval under the EU’s MiCA regulation and relocates its European base from Ireland to Luxembourg.

Coinbase has secured regulatory approval under the EU’s MiCA framework, allowing it to operate across all 27 member states. Luxembourg’s financial regulator, CSSF, licensed the exchange, making it the first US crypto firm fully recognised under MiCA.

After approval, Coinbase announced it would move its European headquarters from Ireland to Luxembourg. The country’s progressive stance on digital finance, including four blockchain laws in recent years, made it a strategic choice for the exchange.

MiCA aims to unify crypto regulations across the EU, offering clear rules and consumer protections while reducing regulatory fragmentation. Coinbase’s endorsement of the CSSF highlights the role Luxembourg is playing in shaping digital policy in Europe.

With this move, Coinbase joins a growing list of global exchanges — including Bybit, Crypto.com, and OKX — positioning themselves for broader European expansion under MiCA’s regulatory framework.

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