Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from the Central Bank of Ireland. This regulatory approval under the EU's MiCA framework permits Kraken to operate regulated crypto services throughout all 30 member states of the European Economic Area (EEA).
The license complements Kraken’s earlier acquisitions of a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) license in February and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license earlier in 2023. Kraken’s co-CEO Arjun Sethi emphasized the importance of trust and the dedication of their team in meeting the Central Bank of Ireland's stringent regulatory standards.
Kraken’s licensing under MiCA aligns it with other major crypto exchanges such as Coinbase, OKX, Crypto.com, and Bybit, which have also secured similar regulatory approvals within 2025. Gemini is reportedly awaiting approval in Malta. The MiCA framework, effective since 2024, aims to harmonize digital asset regulations across the EU to foster consistent and transparent oversight.
While many prominent players have embraced MiCA, some, such as Tether (issuer of USDT stablecoin), have opted out of registration, prompting some exchanges to delist USDT in response.
This licensing milestone coincides with Kraken's strategic relocation of its global headquarters to Wyoming, USA, attracted by the state's crypto-friendly regulations, while continuing to navigate pending U.S. regulatory frameworks. Additionally, the SEC dropped a 2023 lawsuit against Kraken alleging unregistered operations.
Recently, Kraken launched Kraken Prime, a new institutional prime brokerage platform offering trading, custody, and financing through a unified interface, designed to compete with Coinbase Prime and FalconX.