KuCoin, the global crypto exchange that has spent the past year pushing a compliance-first agenda, announced today that its European arm, KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH, has been granted a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) license in Austria. The authorization allows the Vienna-based entity to provide regulated digital asset services across 29 countries in the European Economic Area, with the exception of Malta, marking a major milestone in the company’s European expansion.
The approval is the latest step in KuCoin’s broader push to align its operations with recognized regulatory frameworks worldwide. According to the company, the MiCAR license represents one of the most rigorous and forward-looking regulatory regimes for digital assets, and obtaining it through a local EU entity reinforces KuCoin’s commitment to operating under high standards of transparency, market integrity, and investor protection.
Under the MiCAR authorization, KuCoin EU is approved as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) by Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA) to offer services including custody and administration of crypto-assets, crypto–fiat and crypto–crypto exchange services, placement of crypto-assets, and transfer services on behalf of clients. The company said the license will let it deliver secure and compliant services to millions of European users under a unified regulatory framework.
Responsible Growth of the Digital Asset Industry
BC Wong, KuCoin’s CEO, framed the development as a defining moment for the exchange’s Trust and Compliance strategy, calling the MiCAR framework “one of the highest regulatory standards worldwide.” He said the license supports KuCoin’s $2 billion Trust Project and its mission to build “transparent, credible and security-driven Web3 infrastructure” that bolsters user trust while enabling responsible industry growth.
The MiCAR approval arrives alongside other recent regulatory steps for KuCoin, including AUSTRAC registration in Australia earlier this month and ongoing upgrades to its compliance and security posture, measures the company says are backed by top-tier certifications and regular third-party audits.
KuCoin also warned that, as its EU arm prepares to launch a fully compliant platform, European Economic Area users (except those in Malta) should follow KuCoin EU’s official channels for updates and early access information; the company noted that EEA users may no longer register or onboard on KuCoin Global’s platform.
Headquartered in Vienna, KuCoin EU will operate under the EU regulatory framework and MiCAR requirements, positioning the exchange to compete in Europe with a locally licensed offering. The company said the license not only opens a new chapter for KuCoin in Europe but also represents a broader push to shape a more transparent and regulated future for digital assets around the world.