OKX is the first global exchange to receive licensing under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) Regulation.
This milestone helps OKX provide local and regulated cryptocurrency services to more than 400 million Europeans through its European Economic Area (EEA) hub in Malta.
OKX Obtains MiCA Licensing Fund
Malta, with its strong regulatory environment and advanced technological infrastructure, played an important role in OKX’s decision to establish its MiCA center here. The exchange holds a Class 4 VASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) license from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), known for its strict compliance standards.
“MFSA is highly regarded for its meticulous regulatory framework and is always at the forefront of global regulatory standards. Through our Malta Hub, OKX customers will be provided with a secure and fully compliant crypto asset platform,” Erald Ghoos, OKX Europe CEO, said in an announcement to TinTucBitcoin.
MiCA is the EU’s attempt to establish a unified regulatory framework for crypto assets. Once OKX obtains a full MiCA license, it will be able to expand services to all 30 EEA member states, simplifying access to regulated cryptocurrency services for customers in this region .
“MiCA with its progressive approach to digital finance regulation in Europe and strong focus on customer safety and security has created a global standard… Europe’s perspective on embracing transparent regulation Transparency and unity are key factors in building the future of the global digital economy,” said Ms. Hong Fang, President of OKX.
For now, this is a step in the right direction, moving closer to full licensing. This paves the way for the exchange to offer a diverse range of products, from OTC trading to spot trading and bots, allowing access to over 240 cryptocurrencies across 260 Token pairs.
Users will also have available over 60 Euro-based trading pairs, local language support and currency display, enhancing platform accessibility and enhancing user experience.
MiCA Promotes Expansion Plan for Cryptocurrency Companies
This announcement comes on the heels of OKX expanding its global footprint. The MiCA pre-licensing reinforces OKX’s recent partnership with Standard Chartered, focusing on institutional custody solutions. This partnership demonstrates OKX’s ambition to serve a wide range of customers from retail traders to large institutions.
“OKX will be the leading crypto asset platform for both retail and institutional clients in Europe, providing all services under a full regulatory framework,” Ghoos added.
OKX’s expansion into Europe under MiCA reflects its commitment to becoming the most licensed and regulated platform globally. This pre-licensing is said to be the company’s eighth regulatory milestone, cementing its leading position in the cryptocurrency industry.
Furthermore, OKX’s pre-licensing coincides with recent hints from its founder about a secret business. As TinTucBitcoin reported, the project aims to complement core services and promote innovation in the crypto asset space.
OKX’s success comes amid a wave of MiCA-related activity in the cryptocurrency industry. Just a week ago, Crypto.com received a MiCA license, expanding its operations in the EU. Similarly, four other companies, including MoonPay, already have MiCA licenses in the Netherlands and Malta.
However, implementing MiCA is not without challenges. In preparation for the new regulations, several exchanges in the EU have delisted Tether’s USDT, causing uncertainty for users.
