Bitstamp, one of the world’s longest-operating cryptocurrency exchanges, has been granted a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license by Luxembourg’s financial regulator under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, the company announced Friday.
The approval by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) allows Bitstamp to offer crypto trading, order execution, and custody services across the European Economic Area through the EU’s passporting system. The license, issued on May 16, 2025, places Bitstamp among the first crypto exchanges to be formally recognised under MiCA, the bloc’s landmark regulatory framework for digital assets.
MiCA Compliance Marks Regulatory Milestone
The CASP license is Bitstamp’s second major regulatory approval in the EU within a year. The exchange previously obtained a license under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) to operate a Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF).
The MiCA framework, which aims to create unified standards for crypto-asset operations in the EU, requires firms to meet stringent compliance obligations, particularly regarding investor protection and operational transparency.
Bitstamp CEO Jean-Baptiste Graftieaux said the company supports efforts to bring greater regulatory clarity to the crypto industry and views MiCA’s framework as a step toward broader market trust. “MiCA’s rigour makes this approval all the more significant,” he said, adding that the company is prepared to serve EU customers under the new guidelines.
Expansion Plans and Compliance Focus
Headquartered in Luxembourg, Bitstamp operates globally and holds several regulatory licenses across various jurisdictions. The company confirmed that it has updated its stablecoin-related policies to align with MiCA requirements. Bitstamp also said it is pursuing further licenses and intends to expand its offerings for institutional and retail clients across Europe.
Bitstamp’s approval comes amid heightened efforts by EU regulators to establish clearer oversight of digital asset services. Under MiCA, crypto exchanges must adhere to Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols, provide transparent pricing and security measures, and safeguard customer funds.
The CASP license grants Bitstamp the ability to operate more seamlessly across EU member states without needing separate approvals from individual national regulators, potentially streamlining its services within the bloc.
Bitstamp was founded in 2011 and has since become a prominent player in the crypto trading sector. The MiCA-based CASP license is expected to influence how the exchange navigates market developments and evolving regulatory expectations in the EU.
