Bitvavo has officially received a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets (AFM), allowing the exchange to operate across all EU member states under the new regulatory framework. The approval marks a significant milestone as Europe moves toward unified crypto regulation.

Bitvavo CEO and co-founder Mark Nuvelstijn welcomed the license and expressed strong support for MiCA, emphasizing the importance of consistent enforcement across the European Union. He stated that the license brings much-needed clarity and assurance for crypto businesses expanding across the continent.

Chief Risk Officer Jeetan Patel added that the licensing process was both intensive and smooth, highlighting the company's full compliance with MiCA’s requirements. He praised the AFM’s efficient handling of the process and described it as a “constructive collaboration.”

MiCA, which went into effect on January 1, 2025, aims to streamline the crypto market in the EU, promoting investor protection and innovation while maintaining financial stability. Bitvavo now joins a growing list of exchanges racing to secure licenses under the framework.

Kraken received its MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland last week. Coinbase was granted its license by Luxembourg’s regulator on June 21, and Bybit secured approval from Austria’s financial authority in late May.

The regulation is already having a market impact. Paybis executive Konstantins Vasilenko reported a 70% quarter-on-quarter surge in trading volumes from EU users in Q1 2025, attributing the spike to increased investor confidence after MiCA took effect.

Bitvavo’s approval reinforces the momentum behind MiCA adoption and signals a new era of regulatory clarity for crypto firms operating in Europe.