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Crypto Exchange Gemini Secures MiCA License in Malta, Expands European Footprint

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Gemini, the crypto exchange backed by the billionaire Winklevoss twins, has secured a Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), strengthening its bid to expand across the European Union under the bloc’s new regulatory framework, the company said in a blog post Thursday.

The approval marks a significant step in Gemini’s EU strategy, enabling the firm to roll out its trading products and services to customers in more than 30 European jurisdictions, the company noted.

Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which came into effect this year, is the EU’s first region-wide crypto rulebook, designed to harmonize digital asset oversight across member states and provide legal clarity for firms operating in the sector.

Gemini has been steadily building its regulatory base in the region. In May, the company secured a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) license to offer derivatives. That was followed by the launch of tokenized stocks in Europe a month later.

The crypto exchange said the MiCA license underscores its long-standing focus on compliance as it looks to introduce additional offerings, including derivatives, to both retail and institutional clients in Europe.

Gemini is also among several crypto companies that are looking to go public. Last week, the firm said it had hired Goldman Sachs (GS), Citigroup (C), Morgan Stanley (MS) and Cantor as lead bookrunners for its planned IPO.

Read more: Gemini Hires Goldmans, Citi, Morgan Stanley and Cantor as Lead Bookrunners for Its IPO



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Crypto Trends

Kraken Becomes Latest to Win a License Under Europe’s New Rules

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In brief

  • The license allows Kraken to operate under MiCA across the EU.
  • It follows Coinbase’s own approval in Luxembourg last week.
  • MiCA came into full force at the end of last year, establishing clearer rules for the industry across the region.

Kraken has secured a regulatory license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework, the company announced Wednesday. The authorization, granted by the Central Bank of Ireland, enables Kraken to offer crypto services across 27 EU member states, as well as three EEA member states.

“Securing a license from the Central Bank of Ireland… [is] a powerful signal of Kraken’s commitment to expanding the crypto ecosystem through responsible innovation,” Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken, said in a statement.

“Being the first major global crypto platform to receive authorization from the CBI affirms Kraken’s commitment to building for the long term,” he added. “This license reflects that effort and places us in a strong position to expand our product offering, grow our institutional and retail client base, and deliver secure, accessible, and fully regulated crypto services to millions more people across the EU.”

The euro currently accounts for 17.5% of global fiat spot crypto trading volume, more than double compared to a year earlier, according to the exchange.

An eye on Europe

The approval comes just a week after rival exchange Coinbase announced it had received a similar license in Luxembourg. Both moves highlight how major crypto platforms are racing to align with MiCA ahead of its phased implementation.

MiCA, which has been fully enforced since the end of last year, introduced a unified regulatory regime for crypto asset service providers across the EU.



However, in recent weeks, the ability of firms licensed in one member state being able to offer their services across the entire bloc without needing separate approvals elsewhere has drawn criticism.

Some industry participants and regulators warn it may encourage firms to seek approval in jurisdictions with lighter-touch regulatory regimes, then expand operations more broadly, an issue that has also been seen in other industries.

Peter Curk, CEO of UK-based ICONOMI, previously warned that this could lead to a “race to the bottom” in regulatory enforcement standards. 

The European Securities and Markets Authority is currently reviewing Malta’s licensing practices and is expected to release a report on its findings.

Kraken already holds Virtual Asset Service Provider registrations in Ireland, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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Kraken Secures Mica License In Ireland To Expand Across Eu
Crypto Trends

Kraken Secures MiCA License in Ireland to Expand Across EU

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Crypto exchange Kraken has officially secured a MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland, allowing it to expand its regulated services across all 30 member states of the European Economic Area (EEA).

This is a significant step in the development of Kraken because the EU is implementing the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework that will provide regulatory clarity and consistency to the crypto environment. This license will enable Kraken to provide digital asset services to European users on a single regulatory framework.

The most recent license granted to Kraken is in addition to the previous licensing, a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) license in February and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in 2023.

“We believe trust is the most valuable currency in crypto, and it’s something you earn,” said Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi, noting the team’s effort in meeting Ireland’s strict regulatory standards.

Kraken joins other major exchanges like Coinbase, OKX, Crypto.com, and Bybit, which have also pursued MiCA compliance in 2025. Gemini is reportedly aiming for MiCA approval via Malta.

Not everyone is onboard, though. Tether has decided not to register USDt under MiCA, leading to some exchanges delisting the stablecoin.

Kraken’s announcement comes shortly after it moved its global headquarters to Wyoming, USA, praising the state’s pro-crypto stance. Meanwhile, in March, the U.S. SEC dropped a civil lawsuit accusing Kraken of running an unregistered exchange.

With regulatory clarity growing in both the U.S. and EU, Kraken continues to solidify its position as a global crypto leader.

Also Read: Coinbase Secures EU Access with Luxembourg MiCA License



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Coinbase Secures MiCA License, Expanding Crypto Services Across EU

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In brief

  • Coinbase has obtained a MiCA license via Luxembourg.
  • The license enables Coinbase to offer crypto services across all 27 EU countries.
  • It follows similar efforts by Gemini, OKX and Crypto.com to get regulated in Europe.

Coinbase has secured regulatory approval to operate across the European Union under the Markets in Crypto Assets framework, the company announced Friday.

The license, granted by Luxembourg’s financial authorities, allows Coinbase to provide crypto services across all 27 EU member states.

Its announcement confirms weeks of speculation that Coinbase, alongside rival exchange Gemini, was preparing to register under MiCA.

Coinbase said Luxembourg was chosen due to its “whole-of-government” approach to blockchain and four blockchain-related laws passed in recent years.

“Over the past few years, Coinbase has worked closely with regulators across Europe, securing licences in Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain,” the company said.

“Now, with MiCA, we’re uniting these efforts under a single framework, enabling millions of Europeans to access regulated, trusted, and secure crypto services.”

MiCA, which came into force in June 2023, creates a standardized licensing regime for crypto asset service providers within the EU. A license in one country allows a firm to “passport” services across the bloc. 

While member states retain limited powers to block operations if there is a legal basis to do so, a country generally cannot stop a licensed firm from offering services within its borders.



This setup has sparked criticism from some corners of the industry and among regulators, who say it creates incentives for firms to register in jurisdictions with fewer regulatory resources. 

Coinbase’s license in Luxembourg and Gemini’s ongoing attempt to register in Malta follow a string of approvals in those countries for firms including OKX, Bitstamp, and Crypto.com.

That said, it didn’t stop Malta from fining OKX $1.2 million in April for past AML compliance failures.

Nevertheless, the scale of operations in the countries where firms set up is often tiny compared to their EU-wide impact.

Critics, such as Peter Curk, CEO of the U.K. crypto portfolio management platform ICONOMI, have previously warned that this could lead to a “race to the bottom” in enforcement standards.

He told Decrypt earlier this month that having countries with lower regulatory capacity grant licenses to companies could “[dilute] consumer protection and cross‑border trust.”

“The debate isn’t just about licenses, it’s about the EU’s collective reputation in digital finance,” he added.

The European Securities and Markets Authority is currently reviewing Malta’s licensing process and is planning to produce a report on its findings. 

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

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Singapore Financial Watchdog to Ban Overseas Crypto Services Without License

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In brief

  • Singapore’s financial authority has set a June 30 deadline for crypto firms operating overseas from Singapore to obtain a license or shut down, citing financial crime risks.
  • The new rules apply to firms incorporated or staffed in Singapore serving only foreign clients, with no exemptions or transition period.
  • The move follows similar global crackdowns, including a recent AUSTRAC penalty against crypto exchange Cointree over delayed money laundering reports.

Crypto firms serving Singapore customers from outside the country must obtain a license or shut down by June 30, as the Monetary Authority of Singapore crack down on financial crime risks.

In a policy response published on May 30, MAS confirmed it would proceed with the full implementation of Section 137 of the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSM Act), which allows the regulator to license Digital Token Service Providers (DTSPs) operating from Singapore, a leading hub for digital asset businesses.

That includes companies incorporated locally or with staff based in Singapore that serve only overseas users.

“There will be no transitional arrangement,” the regulator said, warning that firms continuing operations without a license after June 30 would be guilty of an offence and subject to penalties.

MAS said a 4-week notice period issued alongside the document constituted sufficient lead time, urging all affected firms to act immediately.

The document was released in response to industry feedback on a consultation paper first published in October 2024, which sought views on how to regulate DTSPs that operate cross-border.

MAS said most respondents supported licensing such entities, but several pushed for exemptions, especially for firms engaged in proprietary trading, OTC services, or those using overseas infrastructure.

The watchdog rejected those suggestions, saying that technology-neutral, activity-based regulation was needed to close regulatory gaps that could otherwise be exploited.



It justified its decision by citing heightened “money laundering and terrorism financing risks” associated with the borderless nature of digital token services.

The regulator also flagged “reputational risks” to Singapore if crypto businesses were allowed to operate internationally without controls simply because they had no domestic footprint.

Firms will be required to hold at least  $185,000 (SGD 250,000) in base capital, re-onboard customers with fresh due diligence, implement the FATF Travel Rule, and comply with stringent technology risk standards.

MAS also warned that individuals working as independent consultants or freelancers for foreign crypto firms may fall under the licensing requirement, depending on the nature of their role and whether they are deemed to be conducting regulated business from Singapore.

As Singapore closes its doors on unlicensed players, other jurisdictions are stepping up enforcement too.

Last month, AUSTRAC fined Melbourne-based exchange Cointree $75,120 for late filings of suspicious matter reports linked to potential money laundering, saying the delay hampered swift law enforcement action.

As of June 2, 2025, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has issued 33 digital payment token licenses, with major players like Coinbase, and Anchorage among the recipients.

Cumberland SG, the Asia subsidiary of U.S.-based crypto trading firm Cumberland, has received in-principle approval in March but has not yet been granted a full license.

Edited by Stacy Elliott.

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Get A Trio Of Microsoft License Keys For As Low As $10 This Weekend
Game Updates

Get A Trio Of Microsoft License Keys For As Low As $10 This Weekend

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PC users can save big on a handful of Microsoft lifetime licenses throughout Memorial Day weekend. StackSocial has deals on pricey productivity apps, including Microsoft Visio Professional 2021 and Project Professional 2021, which can be purchased for $12 each with promo code WINDOWS. The promo code also works with Windows 11 Home. If you are planning on building a computer in the near future, StackSocial’s Windows license deal lets you get the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system for just $10. The promo code will only work until May 27.

StackSocial is a Microsoft Verified Partner, so you can be sure that you are getting legitimate licenses. Project and Windows 11 license keys can be activated within 30 days, but your copy of Visio must be redeemed within seven days.

All three offers are discounted to $15 without the promo code. Once you enter promo code WINDOWS after adding the deals to your cart, the price will drop to $10. However, Visio and Project each have a $2 “handling fee,” so you’ll ultimately pay $12/each for those two licenses. Windows 11 Home isn’t subject to a handling fee.

$12 with promo code WINDOWS

Microsoft Project is a project management app similar to tools like Asana or Trello. It includes pre-built sample projects, tools for visualizing schedule timelines, and even a built-in timesheet submission form, among many other features.

$12 with promo code WINDOWS

Microsoft Visio is a brainstorming and diagramming software used to create charts, graphs, and other data visualizations like architectural layouts. It comes with dozens of templates for flowcharts, org charts, floor plans, and more, and it can import data from other Microsoft programs like Excel, Exchange, and Entra ID to automatically create charts and diagrams.

Note: A version of Visio is included with Microsoft 365; Project is not part of Microsoft’s subscription productivity suite.

More Microsoft License Deals

Beyond those three deals, StackSocial is offering steep discounts on Microsoft Office 2019, Visual Studio Professional 2022, and a few other licenses.

All of the deals listed below are for lifetime licenses. We’ve noted the activation window for each one after the price. The prices listed below include handling fees (if applicable).



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