Blockchain.com has obtained a definitive Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) custody licence from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), marking the final step in its licensing process in the jurisdiction. The approval, granted on July 22, 2026, replaces the conditional authorization issued in December 2025 and enables the company to offer a full suite of regulated services from its Cayman Islands subsidiary.
Under the new licence, Blockchain.com can provide institutional custody services, crypto-to-fiat and crypto-to-crypto exchange services, and both institutional and retail staking. The company had previously operated under a VASP registration since May 2022, but this move elevates its status to full regulatory authorization. Co-CEO Lane Kasselman emphasized that the approval builds on the company’s recent regulatory momentum, following a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) licence in Europe and registration with the UK Financial Conduct Authority.
Beyond custody, the licence authorizes secure digital asset storage for organizations and supports institutional staking infrastructure, allowing clients to participate in blockchain validation while earning staking rewards. Retail staking will also be offered within a compliant environment.
Blockchain.com is also expanding its local presence through a partnership with TechCayman, announced in June, which will support the company’s first employee in the Cayman Islands and provide operational and business network access. The move signals a shift from a purely regulatory registration toward a permanent operating footprint. Founded in 2011, Blockchain.com has processed over $1.1 trillion in transactions and serves more than 43 million verified users. The Cayman licence follows confidential steps toward a potential IPO in the U.S., the launch of perpetuals on its non-custodial wallet, and retail expansion in Ghana and Nigeria.
