Crypto.com Smashes Regulatory Barriers—Gets Green Light for European Crypto Derivatives

Crypto.com just outmaneuvered the traditional finance gatekeepers—snagging a MiFID license to offer crypto derivatives across Europe. No more begging for scraps from legacy institutions.

Why it matters: This isn’t just another compliance checkbox. It’s a direct shot across the bow of old-school brokers still clinging to their spreadsheets and 9-to-5 trading windows.

The fallout? Expect a flood of institutional money—finally free to gamble on crypto’s volatility without jumping through offshore hoops. Because nothing screams ’mature market’ like leveraged bets on meme coins.

One step closer to the inevitable future where crypto eats finance—bon appétit, Europe.

The Race for Regulated Derivatives: Exchanges Double Down on Licensing in Europe

The MiCA and MiFID licenses provide Crypto.com with the legal infrastructure to operate a wide range of financial products in the EU, including contracts for difference (CFDs) and other crypto derivatives.

@cryptocom has officially expanded its services to all European Economic Area (EEA) member states after receiving a MiCA license.#Crypto #MiCAhttps://t.co/jr9bjJ485S

In a statement, Kris Marszalek, co-founder and CEO of Crypto.com, emphasized its commitment to expanding its regional reach.

“We have already expanded our brand presence in Europe since receiving our MiCA licence, and we now look forward to providing customers across the region even more ways to engage with our platform through these new offerings,” he said.

Notably, Crypto.com’s MOVE shows a trend among major crypto exchanges pursuing MiFID licenses to gain access to Europe’s regulated financial markets.

There has been a flurry of activity in recent months as top exchanges have aligned their derivative offerings with EU laws.

@krakenfx has launched Europe’s largest regulated crypto derivatives platform under MiFID II, offering new trading options for EEA investors.#Kraken #MiFIDII https://t.co/BhRmXQ3aAi

Kraken, for instance, launched its regulated crypto derivatives platform just a day before Crypto.com’s announcement, using a MiFID II-regulated Cyprus entity.

The launch followed Kraken’s acquisition of futures platform NinjaTrader, signaling a deeper pivot into derivatives and a 19% year-on-year revenue growth to $471.7 million in Q1.

@Coinbase announces acquisition of @DeribitOfficial to “significantly advance” its derivatives business and "enhance" profitability. #Crypto #Coinbase #Deribithttps://t.co/mS9588DS8a

Coinbase, not far behind, recently entered an agreement to acquire Deribit, one of the world’s largest crypto derivatives platforms.

This $2.9 billion move shows Coinbase’s belief in the profitability and importance of derivatives trading, as expressed by CEO Brian Armstrong, who noted the firm’s intention to pursue additional M&A opportunities.

Gemini secures EU-wide crypto derivatives license via Malta under MiFID II. #Malta #Gemini #Europehttps://t.co/vUGnNZGPyr

Gemini also secured regulatory approval through Malta’s financial services authority to expand its European crypto derivatives offerings.

As Europe becomes a focal point for regulatory clarity and innovation, this trend indicates how exchanges respond to demand for compliance-ready trading options while attempting to future-proof their operations in anticipation of stricter global standards.

What This Means for Europe—and the Global Crypto Regulatory Landscape

With MiCA and MiFID II providing clear guidelines, Europe now offers crypto firms a legitimate path to offer advanced financial instruments like derivatives, which were previously confined to offshore or lightly regulated platforms.

By obtaining MiFID licenses, exchanges can “passport” their services across EU member states, reducing the diversified regulatory burden and facilitating broader access to financial products.

Cyprus and Malta have positioned themselves as gateways into the European market, accounting for many MiFID license acquisitions due to their business-friendly policies, English-speaking regulatory environments, and robust financial services infrastructure.

According to recent data, Cyprus ranks among the top European countries in active MiFID-licensed entities, with dozens of investment firms using the jurisdiction as a launchpad into the EU market.

The country’s efficient licensing process, experienced legal firms, and DEEP integration into European financial systems have made it a popular choice, especially for digital-first firms seeking fast-track entry into Europe.

Looking beyond Europe, the success of MiFID- and MiCA-driven crypto regulation could serve as a model for other jurisdictions. Countries in Asia, Latin America, and North America are closely watching. As more exchanges adopt this model, there is growing speculation that similar frameworks could emerge in jurisdictions like Singapore, Australia, and Brazil.