Bitvavo is the latest crypto exchange granting markets for crypto assets (MICA) licenses by the Dutch financial market (AFM) and is now able to operate across Europe under a new regulatory framework.
Bitvavo co-founder and CEO Mark Nuvelstijn confirmed the news in a statement Friday and expressed his full support for the MICA process. “We fully support Mikar’s core principles,” he said:
“For equal playing fields in Europe, it is essential that rules are formulated and consistently enforced across all member states.”
Bitvavo’s risk chief says it was a “constructive collaboration.”
Nuvelstijn said the licenses provide clear guidance on crypto exchanges and confidence to operate across Europe. MICA is designed to standardize and regulate crypto markets across Europe, focusing on investor protection, financial stability and innovation. The MICA license window was opened on January 1st.
Bitvavo’s Chief Risk Officer Jeetan Patel said the process is strict but efficient.
“We have taken all necessary steps in the licensing process over the past period to ensure compliance with comprehensive, fine regulatory requirements,” Patel said.
“We appreciate the constructive collaboration with AFM throughout this process, which is progressing efficiently,” he added.
Crypto companies flock to approve mica
The announcement follows a series of MICA license approvals in Europe over the past few months.
On Wednesday, Crypto Exchange Kraken said it had received a MICA license from the Central Bank of Ireland. On June 21st, Crypto Exchange Coinbase secured the MICA license from the Luxembourg Committee of Surveillance Du Secteur Financier.
Related: The European Commission disputes ECB warnings that it underestimates the risk of Stablecoin
Three weeks ago, on May 29th, Crypto Exchange Bybit obtained a MICA license from the Austrian Financial Markets Authority (FMA).
The regulatory framework adopted has led to updating investor trust across the region.
Konstantins Vasilenko, co-founder and chief business development officer of Paybis, told Cointelegraph on June 22 that trading volume from EU customers jumped 70% quarterly in the first quarter of 2025 shortly after MICA regulations came into effect.
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