EU CRYPTO REGISTER · AUTHORISED · LAST VERIFIED
Is Bison Bank licensed under MiCA in the European Union?
Bison Bank's European entity (Bison Bank, S.A.) is recorded as an authorised Crypto-Asset Service Provider under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, with its authorisation issued by Portugal on 19 May 2026.
Verdict: Bison Bank appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs.
| Legal entity | Bison Bank, S.A. |
|---|---|
| Home Member State | Portugal |
| National Competent Authority | |
| Authorisation date | |
| Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) | 549300V4H4USWZUCE073 |
| Authorised services | Custody, Exchange for funds, Exchange for crypto, Order execution, Placing, Order R&T, Advice, Transfer services |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
Which crypto services is Bison Bank authorised to offer in the EU?
Under its MiCA authorisation issued by Portugal, Bison Bank (Bison Bank, S.A.) 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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Placing of crypto-assets
The exchange can underwrite or distribute new crypto-asset issuances. Relevant for primary offerings and structured token launches.
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Reception and transmission of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
The exchange can receive your order and pass it to another venue for execution. Brokerage-pattern service, often paired with order execution.
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Providing advice on crypto-assets
The exchange can offer personalised investment advice. MiCA's suitability rules apply, similar to MiFID II.
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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 Bison Bank not authorised to offer?
Bison Bank's MiCA licence does not cover: Trading platform, Portfolio mgmt. These services may still be offered by other authorised providers, or by Bison Bank under a different regulatory framework (for example, derivatives may fall under MiFID II rather than MiCA). Source: ESMA Register, retrieved 18 July 2026.
See other MiCA-authorised exchanges by service:
What does this mean for users of Bison Bank in the EU?
If you transact through Bison Bank's EEA-authorised entity (Bison Bank, S.A.), 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 Bison Bank's terms of service that your contracting entity is Bison Bank, S.A., not a non-EEA affiliate.
Which MiCA-authorised exchanges are alternatives to Bison Bank?
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 | |
| NOEMON TECH LTD | Cyprus | 9 services | |
| OKX | Malta | 9 services |
Related reading
Understand the regulatory context behind Bison Bank's entry on the register:
Frequently asked questions about Bison Bank and MiCA
Is Bison Bank licensed under MiCA?
Yes. Bison Bank appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised Crypto-Asset Service Providers, with its authorisation issued by the competent authority of Portugal.
Which EU countries can Bison Bank 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 Bison Bank 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 Bison Bank'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 Bison Bank'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.