Blockchain.com Gains EU-Wide Approval Under MiCA via Malta
Approval Expands Access Across 30 EEA Countries
Blockchain.com has received authorization under Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) through a license issued by the Maltese Financial Services Authority (MFSA), the company said Thursday. The approval allows the London-based firm to offer crypto custody and wallet services across all 30 European Economic Area member states and to expand into institutional products such as treasury management.
“Prior to MiCA, the company operated within a fragmented regulatory environment,” a Blockchain.com spokesperson told Cointelegraph. “This license lets us consolidate services under a single framework across the EEA.”
The approval places Blockchain.com among the first major crypto firms to fully operate under MiCA, which became effective this year and is reshaping the European market for crypto-asset providers.
Investor Takeaway
Malta Chosen as EU Hub
Chief executive Peter Smith said Malta’s “regulatory clarity and strategic position make it the ideal hub to scale Blockchain.com’s European operations.” The firm will use the island state as its regional base to serve both retail and institutional clients under the MiCA regime.
To lead the expansion, Blockchain.com appointed Fiorentina D’Amore—chairperson of the Financial Institutions Malta Association (FIMA)—as senior director of EU business operations and CEO of Blockchain.com Malta. FIMA, founded in 2017, represents licensed financial institutions including crypto firms such as Bitpanda and Tether-linked StablR. D’Amore previously held roles at Bitpanda and eToro and will overview strategy and compliance for the company’s EU network.
“Leveraging the momentum of our MiCA license, we’ll continue advancing innovation and compliance across the region,” D’Amore said in a statement.
Malta’s Regulatory Role Under Scrutiny
Malta was among the first EU jurisdictions to implement MiCA licensing, but its proactive stance has drawn scrutiny. In July, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) questioned elements of the MFSA’s authorization process, prompting clarification from the Maltese regulator that the issues posed no risk to license integrity. The MFSA said it remains committed to applying MiCA in line with EU standards.
The country has also opposed calls from France and other member states to transfer direct supervision of (CASPs) to ESMA. In a statement on Sept. 17, the MFSA said it was “premature to assess MiCA’s full impact, especially on CASPs,” arguing that centralizing oversight too ahead could constrain competition in the EU market.
The dispute reflects a broader power struggle between national regulators and Brussels over how rapidly to centralize crypto supervision. For companies like Blockchain.com, Malta’s stance offers regulatory continuity and quicker approval timelines compared with larger markets such as France or Germany.
Investor Takeaway
What Comes Next
With MiCA authorization secured, Blockchain.com plans to extend custody and wallet products across the EU and pursue institutional clients viewking compliant digital-asset exposure. The company’s European headquarters in Malta will coordinate these efforts while aligning with the MFSA and ESMA to meet cross-border standards.
The move comes as global platforms and wallet providers race to secure MiCA licenses ahead of 2026, when the EU’s transitional period ends. For Blockchain.com—founded in 2011 and one of the industry’s oldest players—the Maltese license consolidates operations once scattered across multiple European jurisdictions and strengthens its standing among regulated .
