Key Takeaways:
- Bybit and OKX launched fully licensed platforms in Europe this week, leveraging MiCA to access the EEA market.
- MiCA’s passporting mechanism enables seamless expansion across 29 EEA countries with a single license.
- Europe is emerging as a global crypto hub, attracting major players amid unified and investor-friendly regulation.
Major crypto exchanges Bybit and OKX have officially launched fully regulated trading platforms in Europe, underscoring the growing appeal of the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The coordinated launches this week signal a new phase in the region’s crypto evolution, with regulatory clarity fueling expansion.
Bybit Launches Bybit.eu with MiCA-Certified Operations
On Wednesday, Bybit announced the launch of Bybit.eu, a MiCA-compliant platform designed to serve users across the European Economic Area (EEA). Operated through its Austria-based entity, Bybit now holds a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license recognized across 29 EEA nations under the EU’s harmonized MiCA framework.
The multilingual platform currently supports English, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish, with German, French, Italian, and Romanian to follow. It offers deep liquidity through aggregated providers, advanced trading tools, and customized features for both retail and institutional European traders.
OKX Expands Into France with Fully Regulated Exchange
Also on Wednesday, OKX unveiled its newly licensed platform in France, made possible through MiCA’s passporting mechanism. This means its MiCA license can be extended across all EEA countries without additional approvals.
Erald Ghoos, CEO of OKX Europe, called the move a “major milestone” and emphasized France’s strategic importance. The platform offers euro trading pairs, staking products, trading bots, and localized customer support tailored for the region.
MiCA Regulation Accelerates European Crypto Expansion
The launches come just six months after MiCA fully came into effect on December 30, 2024. The regulatory framework introduces consistent rules for crypto firms operating in the EU, creating a competitive environment that is now pulling ahead of other global jurisdictions.
Other platforms have also capitalized on the MiCA rollout. Earlier this week, Bitvavo received a MiCA license from the Dutch regulator, and Kraken expanded its EEA operations after gaining compliance. Paxos launched its USDG stablecoin in the EU with MiCA alignment, marking another win for the European ecosystem.
Also Read: Bybit Expands Global Reach with Credit Card Crypto Purchases in 25+ Currencies and Cashback Rewards
Experts and executives are crediting MiCA with driving institutional-grade crypto participation in Europe. Konstantins Vasilenko, co-founder of Paybis, remarked that the EU is “pulling ahead” of even pro-crypto jurisdictions like the U.S., thanks to the clarity MiCA provides.
He noted a 70% increase in EU trade volumes in Q1 2025, pointing to larger and more deliberate investments following the regulatory rollout.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
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