Catenaa, Tuesday, May 20, 2025-Trade Republic, one of Europe’s largest fintech firms, has obtained a full Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) license from Germany’s financial regulator BaFin, positioning itself to expand crypto services across the European Economic Area.
The license allows Trade Republic to provide crypto custody and execute or transmit client orders in all 30 EEA member states. The Berlin-based firm currently serves more than four million users across 17 markets. With this regulatory green light, the company can now offer a nearly complete suite of crypto services internally.
Circle executive Patrick Hansen said on social media that the move significantly boosts Trade Republic’s operational scope, enabling it to deliver services such as custody, execution, and transfers without relying on third-party providers.
Germany has emerged as a regulatory leader in Europe’s crypto market. BaFin has so far granted nine of the first 25 MiCA licenses across the EU, accounting for 36% of all authorizations under the framework. The surge in approvals comes as the industry races to comply before MiCA’s transitional period ends in mid-2025.
MiCA licensing is crucial for “passporting” services across the EEA. Without it, crypto service providers cannot legally operate beyond their home jurisdictions. Legal experts have warned that as many as 75% of existing crypto firms could lose their status if they fail to secure approval in time.
The development follows similar licensing actions in Luxembourg and signals growing momentum as firms like Circle, BitGo, and MoonPay cement their compliance, while giants such as Binance and Kraken remain in the application process.
