Crypto Exchange Bitstamp Wins Registration in Spain

European cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp has gained approval to operate in Spain from the country's central bank, adding it to its growing list of licenses across Europe.

Bitstamp can now offer virtual currency exchange services for fiat currency and electronic wallet custody services to Spanish users, the exchange announced via email Thursday.

Registration in Spain follows Bitstamp's approval in Italy in July. Founded in 2011, the exchange is also registered to operate in Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

There has been a slew of crypto exchanges expanding their authorized footprint across Europe in recent months, pending the European Union's (EU) markets in crypto assets (MiCA) regulation coming into force. Registration in individual member states should in theory make it easier to operate across the bloc.

Of late, Coinbase won approval in the Netherlands, Crypto.com in Italy, and Luno registered in France.

EU lawmakers were set to vote on MiCA in December, though this has been delayed until February due to the length and complexity of the text.

DISCLOSURE

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG.

Jamie Crawley

Jamie Crawley is a CoinDesk news reporter based in London.

Follow @JamieCrawleyCD on Twitter

Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk’s longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.