Kraken Secures MiCA License from Ireland's Central Bank

Kraken has obtained a license under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) from the Central Bank of Ireland, the cryptocurrency exchange announced on Wednesday.

The license enables Kraken to offer regulated crypto services directly to clients across all 30 European Economic Area member states, significantly expanding its operational scope in the region. The authorization comes alongside the company's existing MiFID and Electronic Money Institution licenses, creating a comprehensive regulatory framework for European operations.

"Securing a license from the Central Bank of Ireland, with its long heritage and experience as a rigorous financial regulator, isn't just about compliance," said Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken. "It's a powerful signal of Kraken's commitment to expanding the crypto ecosystem through responsible innovation."

The MiCA framework provides standardized regulatory requirements across the EU, including enhanced consumer protections, increased transparency, and robust oversight mechanisms. For Kraken, this translates into expanded opportunities across retail, professional, and institutional client segments in spot trading, derivatives, and payments.

Kraken already maintains Virtual Asset Service Provider registrations in seven European markets including Ireland, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. The company has operated in Europe since 2013, when it introduced the first Bitcoin-to-euro trading pair, and currently operates the most liquid euro-denominated cryptocurrency trading platform.

The Central Bank of Ireland's approval follows what Sethi described as years of effort to meet the regulator's standards. "Over the past several years, our team has worked tirelessly to meet the CBI's gold standard regulatory expectations," he noted.

Kraken expressed gratitude to the Central Bank of Ireland for its oversight process and acknowledged support from the Irish Government and IDA Ireland. The company positioned the collaboration as a model for public-private sector cooperation in building secure financial innovation across Europe.

The MiCA license represents a significant regulatory milestone for the cryptocurrency industry, as European authorities implement comprehensive frameworks for digital asset services. The regulation aims to create uniform standards across the EU while providing legal certainty for crypto businesses operating in the region.