Kaiko acquires European DeFi infrastructure firm Cometh, gains MiCA license

Cryptocurrency market data and analytics provider Kaiko has acquired Cometh, a European decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure company that holds a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. The deal, announced today, integrates Cometh’s blockchain engineering and regulatory compliance capabilities directly into Kaiko’s existing infrastructure, signaling a strategic push into regulated on-chain capital markets.

Strategic rationale behind the acquisition

Kaiko, headquartered in Paris, has long been a key provider of market data for digital assets, serving institutional clients such as asset managers, banks, and exchanges. By acquiring Cometh, which is also based in Europe, Kaiko gains not only technical expertise in building DeFi infrastructure but also a regulatory foothold under MiCA — the EU’s comprehensive framework for crypto-asset regulation that came into full effect in 2025.

The CASP license held by Cometh is a significant asset. Under MiCA, any firm offering crypto-asset services in the EU must obtain such a license, making it a prerequisite for regulated operations across the bloc. For Kaiko, this acquisition effectively provides a ready-made compliance foundation to expand its services into areas such as on-chain data indexing, tokenized asset infrastructure, and institutional DeFi solutions.

Meeting institutional demand for regulated on-chain infrastructure

In a statement, Kaiko Chief Operating Officer Elodie de Marchi-Chouard emphasized that the move addresses growing client expectations. ‘Institutions are increasingly demanding standards on par with traditional financial markets when it comes to on-chain capital market infrastructure,’ she said. ‘This acquisition gives us the engineering and regulatory foundation to meet that demand.’

The comment reflects a broader trend in digital assets: institutional investors, having entered the space through Bitcoin ETFs and regulated exchanges, are now seeking similar levels of transparency, compliance, and reliability for DeFi-related products. Kaiko’s acquisition of Cometh positions the firm to provide data and infrastructure services that bridge the gap between decentralized protocols and regulated financial markets.

Implications for the European crypto landscape

The deal also underscores the growing importance of MiCA as a competitive advantage for European crypto firms. While the regulation imposes compliance costs, it also creates a clear legal framework that can attract institutional capital. By acquiring a MiCA-licensed entity, Kaiko is effectively betting that regulatory clarity will be a key differentiator in the next phase of crypto adoption.

Cometh’s team, which includes engineers and compliance specialists, will join Kaiko. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Conclusion

The Kaiko-Cometh acquisition is a strategic move that combines data analytics, DeFi engineering, and regulatory compliance under one roof. As institutional interest in on-chain finance grows, the deal positions Kaiko to offer infrastructure that meets traditional market standards within a regulated European framework. It also highlights how MiCA is shaping corporate strategy in the crypto sector, making licensed entities valuable acquisition targets.

FAQs

Q1: What is a CASP license under MiCA?
A CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) license is a regulatory authorization required under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation for firms offering crypto-related services such as custody, exchange, or investment advice within the European Union.

Q2: Why is this acquisition significant for institutional investors?
It gives Kaibo a regulated compliance foundation and blockchain engineering expertise, enabling it to offer on-chain data and infrastructure services that meet the standards expected by traditional financial institutions, including transparency, security, and regulatory oversight.

Q3: How does MiCA affect the European crypto market?
MiCA creates a uniform regulatory framework across EU member states, reducing legal uncertainty and making it easier for compliant firms to operate across borders. It is seen as a catalyst for institutional adoption by providing clear rules for crypto-asset services.