EU CRYPTO REGISTER · AUTHORISED · LAST VERIFIED
Is Backpack EU licensed under MiCA in the European Union?
Backpack EU's European entity ("Trek Technologies" SIA) is recorded as an authorised Crypto-Asset Service Provider under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, with its authorisation issued by Latvia on 27 May 2026.
Verdict: Backpack EU appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs.
| Legal entity | "Trek Technologies" SIA |
|---|---|
| Home Member State | Latvia |
| National Competent Authority | |
| Authorisation date | |
| Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) | 6488C2PNI17093U2YA18 |
| Authorised services | Custody, Exchange for funds, Exchange for crypto, Order execution, Transfer services |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
About Backpack EU
Backpack EU is the European arm of crypto exchange Backpack, operated through the Latvian company 'Trek Technologies' SIA, which is registered in Latvia and run from Riga. At the time of research the EU platform was running an invite-only beta, with a dedicated sign-up path for former FTX EU users, and listed spot and perpetual-futures markets across assets including BTC, ETH and SOL. Backpack states that the wider Backpack Exchange is a global platform; those global claims are the company's own and are separate from what the EU entity is licensed to do. Sources: eu.backpack.exchange, Latvijas Banka
On the legal point, the contracting entity is 'Trek Technologies' SIA, and its national regulator is Latvijas Banka (the central bank of Latvia). According to Latvijas Banka, the company was authorised under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) as a crypto-asset service provider, with the licence reported on 27 May 2026, and it was described as the fifth company to receive a MiCA licence from Latvijas Banka. A MiCA CASP authorisation can be passported across the EEA. Sources: Latvijas Banka, ECOVIS ProventusLaw
The MiCA authorisation covers five crypto-asset services: custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients, exchange of crypto-assets for funds, exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets, execution of orders for crypto-assets, and transfer services for crypto-assets. The research indicates Trek Technologies SIA also holds a separate payment institution licence, which supports euro payments and SEPA transfers. The MiCA CASP authorisation does not, on this list, cover staking, savings or DCA products, or a crypto card. It is also worth noting that perpetual-futures trading is a derivative activity that falls outside the MiCA CASP service list, and a separate Cyprus entity (Trek Labs Europe Ltd, formerly FTX EU Ltd) is reported to operate under MiFID II rather than under this Latvian MiCA licence. Sources: Latvijas Banka, Backpack EU press release
Which crypto services is Backpack EU authorised to offer in the EU?
Under its MiCA authorisation issued by Latvia, Backpack EU ("Trek Technologies" SIA) is approved to provide the following services to EEA residents. Each service is defined in Article 3(1)(16) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114.
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Providing custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients
The exchange holds your crypto in its own wallets. Authorisation here means MiCA's segregation and insurance rules apply: client crypto-assets must be ring-fenced from the exchange's own funds.
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Exchange of crypto-assets for funds
The exchange offers crypto-to-fiat (e.g. BTC to EUR) and fiat-to-crypto conversion. Authorisation here implies MiCA's pricing transparency requirements.
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Exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets
The exchange offers crypto-to-crypto trading (e.g. BTC to ETH). Required for most spot trading pairs not denominated in fiat.
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Execution of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
The exchange can place orders for you on third-party venues (smart-routing). Less common in retail crypto; relevant for brokerage-style services.
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Providing transfer services for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
The exchange can move crypto between addresses on your behalf, including off-platform withdrawals. The Travel Rule applies to these transfers.
Which services is Backpack EU not authorised to offer?
Backpack EU's MiCA licence does not cover: Trading platform, Placing, Order R&T, Advice, Portfolio mgmt. These services may still be offered by other authorised providers, or by Backpack EU under a different regulatory framework (for example, derivatives may fall under MiFID II rather than MiCA). Source: ESMA Register, retrieved 30 June 2026.
See other MiCA-authorised exchanges by service:
What does this mean for users of Backpack EU in the EU?
If you transact through Backpack EU's EEA-authorised entity ("Trek Technologies" SIA), the protections introduced by MiCA apply to your relationship from onwards. In practical terms this means: client crypto-assets are ring-fenced from the exchange's own funds (Article 70 MiCA), the authorised entity holds prudential capital, has formal complaint-handling procedures, and is subject to transparency obligations on fees and order execution. Source: Regulation (EU) 2023/1114.
One thing to verify yourself: the legal entity you contract with day-to-day must match the entity in the ESMA register. Some global exchanges operate multiple legal entities under one brand. Confirm in Backpack EU's terms of service that your contracting entity is "Trek Technologies" SIA, not a non-EEA affiliate.
Which MiCA-authorised exchanges are alternatives to Backpack EU?
Three MiCA-authorised providers to consider. Drawn from the ESMA register, never paid placement.
| Provider | Home Member State | Authorised | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaric Securities | Bulgaria | 9 services | |
| OKX | Malta | 9 services | |
| Kraken | Ireland | 8 services |
Related reading
Understand the regulatory context behind Backpack EU's entry on the register:
Frequently asked questions about Backpack EU and MiCA
Is Backpack EU licensed under MiCA?
Yes. Backpack EU appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised Crypto-Asset Service Providers, with its authorisation issued by the competent authority of Latvia.
Which EU countries can Backpack EU serve under this licence?
A MiCA authorisation in one EEA member state permits passporting across all EEA member states, subject to a notification process to each host-state regulator.
Are my crypto-assets on Backpack EU protected under MiCA?
MiCA introduces ring-fencing of client crypto-assets, prudential capital requirements for the authorised entity, complaint-handling obligations, and conduct rules. It does not provide a deposit-guarantee scheme equivalent to bank deposit insurance.
What's the difference between the authorised entity and the global brand?
Some global exchanges operate multiple legal entities. The MiCA authorisation applies only to the specific legal entity in the ESMA register, not to the global brand. Verify the contracting entity in Backpack EU's terms of service.
Where can I check the official record?
The ESMA register publishes the authoritative list and updates it weekly. The direct link to Backpack EU's entry is on this page under 'Sources'.
Sources
This page is updated weekly. Last verified . If you believe any information on this page is inaccurate, write to our contact page.