Crypto.com Gets EU Nod to Offer Crypto Derivatives

Crypto.com has achieved a significant milestone by securing a full Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), becoming one of the first major global crypto exchanges to do so. 

Overview

On May 21 2025, Crypto.com announced that it had obtained a licence under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID). This licence enables the company to offer regulated crypto services across the European Union (EU) under a unified regulatory framework, marking a pivotal step in its global expansion strategy. 

Crypto.com’s co-founder and CEO, Kris Marszalek, said,

“We have already expanded our brand presence in Europe since receiving our MiCA licence and we now look forward to providing customers across the region even more ways to engage with our platform through these new offerings.” 

Understanding MiCA and Its Implications

MiCA is the EU’s comprehensive legal framework for cryptocurrencies and digital assets, fully applicable since December 2024.  MiCA aims to eliminate regulatory fragmentation across EU member states by establishing clear rules for issuers, asset service providers, and stablecoin operators. Key provisions include consumer protections, measures against market manipulation, and detailed compliance requirements for crypto companies.

With the MiCA licence, Crypto.com can now “passport” its services across all EU member states, simplifying the process of offering crypto financial derivatives and other services throughout the region.  This regulatory clarity is expected to enhance consumer trust and attract institutional investors, contributing to the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies in Europe.

Crypto.com’s Strategic Expansion

Beyond the EU, Crypto.com has been actively expanding its global footprint. In March 2025, the company secured a limited license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to offer derivatives trading within the Dubai International Financial Centre, including futures and perpetual swap contracts.  

This move is part of Crypto.com’s broader strategy to capitalise on the growing interest in digital assets in the Middle East. Additionally, Crypto.com has announced plans to diversify its financial services by introducing stock and stock options trading and expanding its banking services to include personal multi-currency and cash savings accounts. The company is also preparing to launch Crypto. com-branded stablecoin in Q3 2025 and is filing for an exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on its native token, Cronos (CRO).

Impact on the European Crypto Market

Crypto.com’s acquisition of the MiCA licence positions it at the forefront of the crypto industry’s regulatory evolution in Europe. By operating under a unified regulatory framework, the company can offer a range of crypto services, including financial derivatives, with greater efficiency and compliance. 

This development is expected to set a precedent for other crypto exchanges seeking to establish a regulated presence in the EU, potentially leading to increased competition and innovation in the European crypto market. Furthermore, the regulatory clarity provided by MiCA is anticipated to attract more institutional investors to the European crypto space, fostering greater liquidity and stability. 

As the first major global crypto exchange to secure a full MiCA licence, Crypto.com is well-positioned to capitalise on these emerging opportunities and drive the crypto industry’s growth in Europe.