Coinbase has got its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license from Luxembourg's financial regulator, which means it can now operate across all 27 European Union member states. It is a major move for the company's European strategy, but it is also a statement — and one thatChief Legal Officer Paul Grewal is making a big deal out of.
For Grewal, the direction is simple: Regulation brings clarity, and clarity brings opportunity. That logic is now behind Coinbase's approach to the European market. By getting on board with MiCA early on, the company is making sure it gets the thumbs-up from regulators and users.
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Thus,Coinbase has now made Luxembourg its official base of operations in Europe. The country has long been seen as a cutting-edge financial center, with laws on the books for blockchain innovation and a government-wide approach to digital transformation.
The math in Europe is simple. Regulation = clarity = opportunity. We are grateful to work with forward-thinking regulators like the CSSF. https://t.co/5BIZG0nxM0
— paulgrewal.eth (@iampaulgrewal) June 20, 2025
The CSSF, the national financial regulator, will oversee Coinbase's rollout under MiCA, setting a new standard for crypto compliance in Europe.
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Coinbase has been operating in Europe with a bunch of different national licenses from countries like Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Now that MiCA is in effect, all those separate efforts are rolled into one structure.
Grewal's take on things makes it clear that this is not just a case of regulatory housekeeping. It is a real game-changer. With things being uncertain on some important markets, Coinbase is using clarity as a launchpad. By picking Luxembourg, amajor U.S. exchange is anchoring itself in a jurisdiction that matches its pace and priorities.