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 14 July 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, Trading platform, Transfer services |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
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.
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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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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: 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 14 May 2026.
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.
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 cited on this page
- ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers
- Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB)
This page is updated weekly. Last verified . If you believe any information on this page is inaccurate, write to our contact page.