EU CRYPTO REGISTER · AUTHORISED · LAST VERIFIED
Is KuCoin licensed under MiCA in the European Union?
KuCoin's European entity (KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH) is recorded as an authorised Crypto-Asset Service Provider under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, with its authorisation issued by Austria on 28 November 2025.
Verdict: KuCoin appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs.
| Legal entity | KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH |
|---|---|
| Home Member State | Austria |
| National Competent Authority | Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) |
| Authorisation date | |
| Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) | 529900B4G0EGK7Z9KT45 |
| Authorised services | Custody, Exchange for funds, Exchange for crypto, Placing, Transfer services |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
Which crypto services is KuCoin authorised to offer in the EU?
Under its MiCA authorisation issued by Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA), KuCoin (KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH) 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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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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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 KuCoin not authorised to offer?
KuCoin's MiCA licence does not cover: Trading platform, Order execution, Order R&T, Advice, Portfolio mgmt. These services may still be offered by other authorised providers, or by KuCoin 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 KuCoin licensed in Austria?
Austria's FMA has been an active MiCA gatekeeper, authorising Bitpanda (a domestic champion), Bybit's EU entity and KuCoin EU. The FMA's known stance: tight scrutiny on AML compliance, with KuCoin EU subjected to a ban on new business in late 2025 before it staffed up its compliance function. Source: Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA).
| National Competent Authority | Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) |
|---|---|
| Investor compensation | Austrian compensation scheme; verify scope via FMA. |
| Regulatory context | Bitpanda's home jurisdiction; FMA scrutiny is comparatively heavy. |
What does this mean for users of KuCoin in the EU?
If you transact through KuCoin's EEA-authorised entity (KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH), 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 KuCoin's terms of service that your contracting entity is KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH, not a non-EEA affiliate.
Frequently asked questions about KuCoin and MiCA
Is KuCoin licensed under MiCA?
Yes. KuCoin appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised Crypto-Asset Service Providers, with its authorisation issued by the competent authority of Austria.
Which EU countries can KuCoin 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 KuCoin 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 KuCoin'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 KuCoin'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.