EU CRYPTO REGISTER · AUTHORISED · LAST VERIFIED
Is Kraken licensed under MiCA in the European Union?
Kraken's European entity (Payward Europe Solutions Limited) is recorded as an authorised Crypto-Asset Service Provider under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, with its authorisation issued by Ireland on 25 June 2025.
Verdict: Kraken appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs.
| Legal entity | Payward Europe Solutions Limited |
|---|---|
| Home Member State | Ireland |
| National Competent Authority | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) |
| Authorisation date | |
| Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) | 254900641D8KNHUZYX24 |
| Authorised services | Custody, Trading platform, Exchange for funds, Exchange for crypto, Order execution, Placing, Transfer services |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
And what about derivatives?
Kraken's MiCA authorisation above covers spot crypto services only. Crypto derivatives - perpetual futures, options, CFDs - fall under MiFID II, a separate EU regime. Kraken's MiFID II status is tracked on a dedicated page.
Kraken holds a MiFID II authorisation via a separate legal entity. See the full MiFID II profile for Kraken →
Which crypto services is Kraken authorised to offer in the EU?
Under its MiCA authorisation issued by Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), Kraken (Payward Europe Solutions Limited) 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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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.
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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.
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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.
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Placing of crypto-assets
The exchange can underwrite or distribute new crypto-asset issuances. Relevant for primary offerings and structured token launches.
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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 Kraken not authorised to offer?
Kraken's MiCA licence does not cover: Order R&T, Advice, Portfolio mgmt. These services may still be offered by other authorised providers, or by Kraken 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 Kraken licensed in Ireland?
The CBI's MiCA approach mirrors its strict banking-supervision posture. Kraken's Payward entities chose Ireland for their MiCA authorisation in June 2025. Source: Central Bank of Ireland (CBI).
| National Competent Authority | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) |
|---|---|
| Investor compensation | Irish Investor Compensation Scheme up to €20,000. |
| Regulatory context | English-speaking, regulator-respected; expensive to establish. |
What does this mean for users of Kraken in the EU?
If you transact through Kraken's EEA-authorised entity (Payward Europe Solutions Limited), 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 Kraken's terms of service that your contracting entity is Payward Europe Solutions Limited, not a non-EEA affiliate.
Frequently asked questions about Kraken and MiCA
Is Kraken licensed under MiCA?
Yes. Kraken appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised Crypto-Asset Service Providers, with its authorisation issued by the competent authority of Ireland.
Which EU countries can Kraken 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 Kraken 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 Kraken'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 Kraken's entry is on this page under 'Sources'.
Sources cited on this page
This page is updated weekly. Last verified . If you believe any information on this page is inaccurate, write to our contact page.