Coinbase, the United States-based cryptocurrency exchange, has taken a strategic step to reinforce its presence in Europe. It has officially declared Ireland as its preferred crypto hub within the European Union. Coinbase’s move entails applying for a regulatory license under the EU’s new Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) with the Central Bank of Ireland. If successful, this endeavor would grant Coinbase the privilege of “passporting” its services across EU member states.
The choice of Ireland as its European Union entity location aligns with Europe’s comprehensive cryptocurrency regulatory framework, MiCA. This framework, slated for enforcement in late 2024, is poised to allow Coinbase to serve one of the world’s largest economies. This includes a vast population of 450 million individuals spanning 27 countries, all governed by a unified regulatory framework and a single national supervisor.
At present, Coinbase holds an e-money institution license and is a registered virtual asset service provider (VASP) in Ireland. Additionally, it possesses a crypto license in Germany and has secured several national registrations within other EU member states. Expressing their enthusiasm for this strategic decision, Daniel Seifert, Coinbase’s EMEA Vice President and Regional Managing Director, conveyed, “We are delighted to select Ireland as our MiCA hub. Ireland offers a supportive political environment for fintech companies and boasts a globally respected regulator.”
He further emphasized, “Ireland is a leading jurisdiction in this space, and we eagerly anticipate collaborating with regulators in Ireland, Germany, and beyond. This collaboration holds the promise of fully realizing the potential of this industry with the advent of MiCA.”
Nana Murugesan, Coinbase’s Vice President for International and Business Development, noted back in December 2022 that the European Union’s political consensus on the MiCA framework plays a pivotal role in establishing one of the most significant regulatory foundations for cryptocurrencies globally. Furthermore, Coinbase’s VASP registration in Ireland underscores the company’s unwavering commitment and collaboration with the Central Bank of Ireland.
Coinbase’s expansion efforts in Europe have been particularly robust in 2023, despite the backdrop of regulatory uncertainty. This drive gained even more momentum after U.S. securities regulators initiated legal action against the exchange in June 2023. In a noteworthy development, Coinbase secured Anti-Money Laundering compliance registration from Spain’s central bank in September. This accreditation has empowered the firm to offer its cryptocurrency exchange services to both retail and institutional investors while remaining fully compliant with the country’s laws.
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