EU CRYPTO REGISTER · AUTHORISED · LAST VERIFIED
Is Bitstamp licensed under MiCA in the European Union?
Bitstamp's European entity (Bitstamp Europe 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 Luxembourg on 15 May 2025.
Verdict: Bitstamp appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs.
| Legal entity | Bitstamp Europe S.A. |
|---|---|
| Home Member State | Luxembourg |
| National Competent Authority | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) |
| Authorisation date | |
| Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) | 549300XIBGTJ0PLIEO72 |
| Authorised services | Custody, Trading platform, Exchange for funds, Exchange for crypto, Order execution, Order R&T, Transfer services |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
And what about derivatives?
Bitstamp's MiCA authorisation above covers spot crypto services only. Crypto derivatives - perpetual futures, options, CFDs - fall under MiFID II, a separate EU regime. Bitstamp's MiFID II status is tracked on a dedicated page.
Bitstamp holds a MiFID II authorisation via a separate legal entity. See the full MiFID II profile for Bitstamp →
Which crypto services is Bitstamp authorised to offer in the EU?
Under its MiCA authorisation issued by Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Bitstamp (Bitstamp Europe 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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Operation of a trading platform for crypto-assets
The exchange operates an order book where you can place orders against other users. Authorisation here means MiCA's market-conduct rules apply: best-execution obligations, transparent fees, no insider trading.
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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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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 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 Bitstamp not authorised to offer?
Bitstamp's MiCA licence does not cover: Placing, Advice, Portfolio mgmt. These services may still be offered by other authorised providers, or by Bitstamp under a different regulatory framework (for example, derivatives may fall under MiFID II rather than MiCA). Source: ESMA Register, retrieved 14 May 2026.
Why is Bitstamp licensed in Luxembourg?
Luxembourg's CSSF is known for institutional finance regulation and offers a credible base for exchanges aiming at the institutional segment. Coinbase and Bitstamp both selected Luxembourg for their MiCA hub. Source: Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF).
| National Competent Authority | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) |
|---|---|
| Investor compensation | AGDL covers eligible deposits up to €100,000. |
| Regulatory context | Reputation as a stable, institutional-grade EU venue. |
What does this mean for users of Bitstamp in the EU?
If you transact through Bitstamp's EEA-authorised entity (Bitstamp Europe 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 Bitstamp's terms of service that your contracting entity is Bitstamp Europe S.A., not a non-EEA affiliate.
Frequently asked questions about Bitstamp and MiCA
Is Bitstamp licensed under MiCA?
Yes. Bitstamp appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised Crypto-Asset Service Providers, with its authorisation issued by the competent authority of Luxembourg.
Which EU countries can Bitstamp 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 Bitstamp 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 Bitstamp'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 Bitstamp's entry is on this page under 'Sources'.
Sources cited on this page
- ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers
- Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF)
This page is updated weekly. Last verified . If you believe any information on this page is inaccurate, write to our contact page.