EU CRYPTO REGISTER · AUTHORISED · LAST VERIFIED
Is Coinbase licensed under MiCA in the European Union?
Coinbase's European entity (Coinbase Luxembourg 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 20 June 2025.
Verdict: Coinbase appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs.
| Legal entity | Coinbase Luxembourg S.A. |
|---|---|
| Home Member State | Luxembourg |
| National Competent Authority | Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) |
| Authorisation date | |
| Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) | 984500F14CA4571AAC11 |
| Authorised services | Custody, Exchange for funds, Exchange for crypto, Order execution, Placing, Order R&T, Transfer services |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
And what about derivatives?
Coinbase's MiCA authorisation above covers spot crypto services only. Crypto derivatives - perpetual futures, options, CFDs - fall under MiFID II, a separate EU regime. Coinbase's MiFID II status is tracked on a dedicated page.
Coinbase does not hold a MiFID II authorisation for crypto derivatives in the EEA. See the full MiFID II profile for Coinbase →
Which crypto services is Coinbase authorised to offer in the EU?
Under its MiCA authorisation issued by Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Coinbase (Coinbase Luxembourg 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Placing of crypto-assets
The exchange can underwrite or distribute new crypto-asset issuances. Relevant for primary offerings and structured token launches.
-
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.
-
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 Coinbase not authorised to offer?
Coinbase's MiCA licence does not cover: Trading platform, Advice, Portfolio mgmt. These services may still be offered by other authorised providers, or by Coinbase 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 Coinbase 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 Coinbase in the EU?
If you transact through Coinbase's EEA-authorised entity (Coinbase Luxembourg 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 Coinbase's terms of service that your contracting entity is Coinbase Luxembourg S.A., not a non-EEA affiliate.
Frequently asked questions about Coinbase and MiCA
Is Coinbase licensed under MiCA?
Yes. Coinbase 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 Coinbase 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 Coinbase 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 Coinbase'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 Coinbase's entry is on this page under 'Sources'.
Sources cited on this page
- ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers
- Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF)
This page is updated weekly. Last verified . If you believe any information on this page is inaccurate, write to our contact page.