EU CRYPTO REGISTER · AUTHORISED · LAST VERIFIED
Is Clearstream licensed under MiCA in the European Union?
Clearstream's European entity (Clearstream Banking 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 7 February 2025.
Verdict: Clearstream appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs.
| Legal entity | Clearstream Banking S.A. |
|---|---|
| Home Member State | Luxembourg |
| National Competent Authority | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) |
| Authorisation date | |
| Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) | 549300OL514RA0SXJJ44 |
| Authorised services | Custody |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
About Clearstream
Clearstream is not a consumer crypto exchange. It is the post-trade business of Deutsche Börse Group, operating as an international central securities depository (ICSD) that provides custody, settlement and securities and fund services to institutional capital-markets clients. The contracting legal entity is Clearstream Banking S.A., founded in 1970 (originally as Cedel S.A.) and headquartered in Luxembourg. According to Clearstream, its post-trade infrastructure holds around €22 trillion in assets under custody and covers more than 260,000 investment funds. Source: Clearstream
Within this institutional model, Clearstream has extended its custody offering to crypto-assets rather than launching a retail wallet or trading app. The service covers spot custody and settlement of crypto-assets - initially Bitcoin and Ethereum - for institutional ICSD clients, and is delivered through sub-custodian Crypto Finance (Deutschland) GmbH, itself a Deutsche Börse Group member. The research describes EUR/SEPA settlement available through Clearstream's existing banking infrastructure, but it does not indicate any savings, DCA, staking or card products; the crypto offering is restricted to institutional clients. Sources: Clearstream crypto-assets, Crypto Finance
On the legal point, Clearstream Banking S.A. is authorised under MiCA as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider by Luxembourg's Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). Its ESMA-registered authorisation is limited to one service - the custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients. The MiCA licence therefore covers crypto custody only; it does not extend to other MiCA services such as operating a trading platform for crypto-assets, exchange of crypto-assets for funds or other crypto-assets, or the reception and transmission of client orders. The authorisation appears on the AMF's MiCA CASP white list, reflecting passporting into France under the free provision of services. Sources: AMF MiCA white list, Clearstream crypto-assets
Which crypto services is Clearstream authorised to offer in the EU?
Under its MiCA authorisation issued by Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Clearstream (Clearstream Banking 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.
Which services is Clearstream not authorised to offer?
Clearstream's MiCA licence does not cover: Trading platform, Exchange for funds, Exchange for crypto, Order execution, Placing, Order R&T, Advice, Portfolio mgmt, Transfer services. These services may still be offered by other authorised providers, or by Clearstream 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 Clearstream 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 Clearstream in the EU?
If you transact through Clearstream's EEA-authorised entity (Clearstream Banking 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 Clearstream's terms of service that your contracting entity is Clearstream Banking S.A., not a non-EEA affiliate.
Which MiCA-authorised exchanges are alternatives to Clearstream?
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 Clearstream's entry on the register:
Frequently asked questions about Clearstream and MiCA
Is Clearstream licensed under MiCA?
Yes. Clearstream 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 Clearstream 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 Clearstream 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 Clearstream'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 Clearstream's entry is on this page under 'Sources'.
Sources
- ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers
- Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF)
- ESMA MiCA Register - Clearstream (Clearstream Banking S.A.)
- Clearstream official website
- Clearstream crypto-assets custody page
- AMF MiCA CASP white list - Clearstream Banking S.A.
- Crypto Finance sub-custody for Clearstream
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