EU CRYPTO REGISTER · AUTHORISED · LAST VERIFIED
Is BTC Direct licensed under MiCA in the European Union?
BTC Direct's European entity (BTC Direct Europe 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 18 June 2025.
Verdict: BTC Direct appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs.
| Legal entity | BTC Direct Europe 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) | 724500C4D3LQAKCEZ198 |
| Authorised services | Exchange for funds, Exchange for crypto, Transfer services |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
About BTC Direct
BTC Direct is a consumer-facing Dutch crypto broker that lets retail and private clients buy, sell and store Bitcoin and other crypto-assets. The platform is multi-asset rather than Bitcoin-only and is operated by BTC Direct Europe B.V., founded in 2013 and headquartered at Kerkenbos 1025, 6546 BB Nijmegen, in the Netherlands. The company states it serves customers across SEPA countries in five languages (Dutch, English, German, French and Spanish). Source: BTC Direct press & media
The service centres on spot purchase and sale of crypto-assets settled in euros, with deposits and withdrawals via SEPA including iDEAL and credit card. BTC Direct also offers custody of crypto-assets and a private trading desk (OTC) for larger orders from €50,000. According to the research, it does not provide savings or recurring-buy (DCA) products, staking, or a crypto payment card. Source: BTC Direct terms of service
On the regulatory question: the contracting legal entity is BTC Direct Europe B.V., established in the Netherlands and supervised by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). BTC Direct states it holds a full MiCA crypto-asset service provider (CASP) authorisation from the AFM, granted in 2025, and it appears on the AMF white list as authorised to provide crypto-asset services in France via the free provision of services from 18 June 2025. Sources: BTC Direct press & media, AMF white list
Under that MiCA authorisation, the ESMA-registered services BTC Direct is permitted to provide are exchange of crypto-assets for funds, exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets, and transfer services for crypto-assets, which align with its spot-broking and custody-style activity. The authorisation as recorded does not list other MiCA services such as operating a trading platform, placing of crypto-assets, reception and transmission of orders, advice or portfolio management. BTC Direct is not a bank; the Dutch central bank (DNB) register notes it holds crypto-assets and electronic money in euros on a platform used solely for the purchase and sale of crypto. Source: DNB public register
Which crypto services is BTC Direct authorised to offer in the EU?
Under its MiCA authorisation issued by Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), BTC Direct (BTC Direct Europe 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 BTC Direct not authorised to offer?
BTC Direct's MiCA licence does not cover: Custody, Trading platform, Order execution, Placing, Order R&T, Advice, Portfolio mgmt. These services may still be offered by other authorised providers, or by BTC Direct 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 BTC Direct 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 BTC Direct in the EU?
If you transact through BTC Direct's EEA-authorised entity (BTC Direct Europe 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 BTC Direct's terms of service that your contracting entity is BTC Direct Europe B.V., not a non-EEA affiliate.
Which MiCA-authorised exchanges are alternatives to BTC Direct?
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 | |
| OKX | Malta | 9 services | |
| Kraken | Ireland | 8 services |
Related reading
Understand the regulatory context behind BTC Direct's entry on the register:
Frequently asked questions about BTC Direct and MiCA
Is BTC Direct licensed under MiCA?
Yes. BTC Direct 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 BTC Direct 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 BTC Direct 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 BTC Direct'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 BTC Direct's entry is on this page under 'Sources'.
Sources
- ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers
- Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) and De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB)
- GLEIF LEI Record - BTC Direct Europe B.V. (LEI 724500C4D3LQAKCEZ198)
- AMF France white list - BTC Direct Europe B.V. (MiCAR CASP passport from Netherlands)
- BTC Direct press & media (founding year, MiCA licence, services)
- BTC Direct terms of service (legal entity, licence number)
This page is updated weekly. Last verified . If you believe any information on this page is inaccurate, write to our contact page.