EU CRYPTO REGISTER · AUTHORISED · LAST VERIFIED
Is Bitvavo licensed under MiCA in the European Union?
Bitvavo's European entity (Bitvavo B.V.) is recorded as an authorised Crypto-Asset Service Provider under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, with its authorisation issued by Netherlands on 26 June 2025.
Verdict: Bitvavo appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs.
| Legal entity | Bitvavo B.V. |
|---|---|
| Home Member State | Netherlands |
| National Competent Authority | Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) |
| Authorisation date | |
| Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) | 724500MX2WBKDJP9HE56 |
| Authorised services | Custody, Operating a trading platform, Transfer services |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
About Bitvavo
Bitvavo is a consumer cryptocurrency exchange operated by Bitvavo B.V., a company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. According to its research summary the platform launched in 2018 and is headquartered at Keizersgracht 281, Amsterdam. It is a retail trading venue rather than a bank, custodian, broker or asset manager. On its homepage Bitvavo describes itself as the largest crypto exchange in the Netherlands and states it offers more than 400 (later cited as 454) crypto-assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and XRP. Bitvavo reports more than 2 million active users and around €10 billion in monthly traded volume - figures it presents as its own statistics. Source: bitvavo.com
The service centres on spot trading in euros, with EUR/SEPA deposits and withdrawals, and the secure custody of customers' crypto on their behalf. Bitvavo states its trading fees range between 0.00% and 0.25%, and it promotes a deposit bonus and an account guarantee of up to €100,000 for unauthorised account access. Its research summary also references staking and savings/DCA features, though these are inferred from general exchange functionality rather than explicitly detailed in the primary scrape. Source: bitvavo.com
On the regulatory question, Bitvavo B.V. holds a MiCA authorisation. Its own compliance statement reads that Bitvavo B.V. has been granted a licence as a crypto-asset service provider under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (MiCA) by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), the firm's national regulator. On this record the licence covers three crypto-asset services: custody and administration of crypto-assets, operating a trading platform, and transfer services. It does not, on this record, extend to other MiCA services such as portfolio management, advice, or exchange against client orders. Bitvavo's research summary cites licence number 41000010 and notes the firm has passported into France under the freedom to provide services. Sources: Bitvavo compliance statement, AMF France white list
And what about derivatives?
Bitvavo's MiCA authorisation above covers spot crypto services only. Crypto derivatives - perpetual futures, options, CFDs - fall under MiFID II, a separate EU regime. Bitvavo's MiFID II status is tracked on a dedicated page.
Bitvavo does not hold a MiFID II authorisation but offers a leveraged short-selling product under its MiCA authorisation. See the full MiFID II profile for Bitvavo →
Which crypto services is Bitvavo authorised to offer in the EU?
Under its MiCA authorisation issued by Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), Bitvavo (Bitvavo B.V.) is approved to provide the following services to EEA residents. Each service is defined in Article 3(1)(16) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114.
-
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.
-
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 Bitvavo not authorised to offer?
Bitvavo's MiCA licence does not cover: Trading platform, Exchange for funds, Exchange for crypto, Order execution, Placing, Order R&T, Advice, Portfolio mgmt. These services may still be offered by other authorised providers, or by Bitvavo 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 Bitvavo licensed in Netherlands?
The Netherlands historically had one of the strictest pre-MiCA crypto frameworks, with DNB running a stand-alone Wwft register. AFM is the MiCA-designated competent authority. Bitvavo is the dominant Dutch-licensed CASP; many global exchanges previously withdrew from the Dutch market under pre-MiCA pressure. Source: Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB).
| National Competent Authority | Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) |
|---|---|
| Investor compensation | DSI (Dutch investor compensation scheme) cover is limited. |
| Regulatory context | Marketing rules around crypto are particularly strict; AFM has fined non-compliant promotional activity. |
What does this mean for users of Bitvavo in the EU?
If you transact through Bitvavo's EEA-authorised entity (Bitvavo B.V.), 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 Bitvavo's terms of service that your contracting entity is Bitvavo B.V., not a non-EEA affiliate.
Related reading
Understand the regulatory context behind Bitvavo's entry on the register:
Frequently asked questions about Bitvavo and MiCA
Is Bitvavo licensed under MiCA?
Yes. Bitvavo appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised Crypto-Asset Service Providers, with its authorisation issued by the competent authority of Netherlands.
Which EU countries can Bitvavo 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 Bitvavo 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 Bitvavo'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 Bitvavo'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.