KuCoin’s EU arm secures MiCA license in Austria, Malta excluded
Analysis
Price Impact
MedKucoin, a major exchange, securing a mica license in austria for operation across 29 eea countries is a significant step for regulatory clarity and adoption within the eu. this generally bolsters market confidence and potentially expands user base and trading volumes.
Trustworthiness
HighThe news is reported by cointelegraph, a reputable source, and cites direct statements from kucoin's ceo and information from austria's financial market authority (fma).
Price Direction
BullishIncreased regulatory compliance and legal operation in a major economic bloc like the eea enhances the credibility of kucoin and the wider crypto industry, potentially attracting more users and capital, leading to a generally bullish sentiment for the market.
Time Effect
LongRegulatory approvals like mica provide long-term operational stability and expand market access, fostering sustained growth and adoption rather than short-term price spikes for specific assets.
Original Article:
Article Content:
Helen Partz 4 minutes ago KuCoin’s EU arm secures MiCA license in Austria, Malta excluded Licensed by Austria’s Financial Market Authority, KuCoin EU can operate across 29 EEA countries, excluding Malta. Listen 0:00 30 News COINTELEGRAPH IN YOUR SOCIAL FEED Major cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin is the latest company to secure a license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework. KuCoin’s European arm, KuCoin EU, has secured a MiCA license from the Financial Market Authority of Austria, the company said in a statement shared with Cointelegraph on Friday. The authorization allows KuCoin EU to offer crypto asset services across 29 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), excluding Malta, according to the exchange’s representatives. “Securing the MiCA license with our local entity in Austria is a defining milestone in KuCoin’s long-term trust and compliance strategy,” KuCoin CEO BC Wong said, adding that the regulatory framework is “one of the highest regulatory standards worldwide.” Vienna as a strategic European crypto hub KuCoin’s MiCA approval follows its license application filed in early 2025, arriving months after several crypto asset providers (CASPs), including Austria-based Bitpanda, had already secured MiCA authorization in other EU member states. “The decision to choose Austria was primarily driven by the timely implementation of the MiCA accompanying laws, the stable and foreseeable regulatory environment as well as the huge talent pool,” the exchange said in a statement in February. KuCoin is among six CASPs that secured MiCA licenses from Austria’s FMA. Source: FMA Alongside KuCoin, Austria’s FMA has issued MiCA licenses to five more CASPs: crypto-friendly Amina Bank, Bitpanda, Bybit, Cryptonow and FIOR Digital. “This milestone strengthens KuCoin’s commitment to responsible global expansion,” KuCoin CEO Wong said, adding: “Compliance is not simply a regulatory obligation — it is the foundation of our long-term mission to deliver secure, innovative, and accessible digital asset services to users worldwide.” Related: Blockrise wins Dutch MiCA license, brings Bitcoin-backed loans to EU businesses Cointelegraph contacted KuCoin for comment regarding the Malta exception, but had not received a response by the time of publication. As previously mentioned, Malta has issued multiple MiCA licenses to CASPs like Blockchain.com and the Winklevoss twins-owned Gemini exchange . Malta has also emerged as a major opponent of centralized MiCA supervision within the EU , contrary to the position of member states such as France. Magazine: When privacy and AML laws conflict: Crypto projects’ impossible choice # Business # Europe # Austria # Cryptocurrency Exchange # European Union # KuCoin # MiCA # Regulation # Companies # Policy Add reaction