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, Operating a trading platform, Exchange for funds, Exchange for crypto, Order execution, Order R&T, Transfer services |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
About Bitstamp
Bitstamp is a consumer cryptocurrency exchange that has operated since 2011 and describes itself on its homepage as a 'trusted crypto exchange' built on simplicity and security. It is a multi-asset spot trading venue rather than a bank, custodian, broker or asset manager, listing pairs such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Dogecoin and Cardano, all quoted in EUR. According to research drawn from public records, the exchange is now operated by Robinhood, was founded by Nejc Kodrič and Damian Merlak, and is headquartered in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Sources: Bitstamp homepage, Wikipedia: Bitstamp
The entity that contracts with EU users is Bitstamp Europe S.A., a Luxembourg company supervised by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). It is authorised as a crypto-asset service provider under MiCA, and its authorisation is recorded on the French AMF white list following passporting into France. The MiCA authorisation covers custody and administration of crypto-assets, operating a trading platform, exchange of crypto-assets for funds, exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets, execution of orders, reception and transmission of orders, and transfer services. EUR funding via SEPA is supported, consistent with the EUR-denominated markets shown on the site. Sources: AMF white list: Bitstamp Europe SA, Bitstamp Europe SA legal page
What the MiCA licence does not cover is as important as what it does. The CSSF authorisation does not extend to savings or DCA products, staking, or a native crypto card, none of which Bitstamp Europe offers as distinct retail products in the research. Separately, the site markets crypto perpetual futures and a MiFID MTF licence; those derivatives activities sit under different EU rules (MiFID) and a different entity, Bitstamp Financial Services Ltd, and are not part of the MiCA crypto-asset services listed above. So the direct answer is yes: Bitstamp is licensed under MiCA in the EU, through Bitstamp Europe S.A. and the CSSF in Luxembourg, for the spot exchange, custody, order-handling and transfer services named in its authorisation. Sources: AMF white list: Bitstamp Europe SA, Bitstamp homepage
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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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: Trading platform, 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 30 June 2026.
See other MiCA-authorised exchanges by service:
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.
Which MiCA-authorised exchanges are alternatives to Bitstamp?
Three MiCA-authorised providers to consider. Drawn from the ESMA register, never paid placement.
| Provider | Home Member State | Authorised | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| OKX | Malta | 9 services | |
| ZBX | Malta | 8 services | |
| Alaric Securities | Bulgaria | 9 services |
Related reading
Understand the regulatory context behind Bitstamp's entry on the register:
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
This page is updated weekly. Last verified . If you believe any information on this page is inaccurate, write to our contact page.