Bitpanda Obtains Crypto License in Germany

Tuesday, 22/11/2022 | 09:47 GMT by Damian Chmiel
  • The crypto startup is regulated in seven different European states.
  • A broad portfolio of regulatory licenses should increase assets' security.
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Bitpanda, a cryptocurrency exchange startup from Austria, has registered in Germany as a crypto custody service and proprietary trading provider. Through its local branch, Bitpanda Asset Management GmbH, the platform can now independently offer its products to German traders and investors.

According to the press release, Bitpanda had been applying for German authorization for months. After successfully finishing the licensing procedure, the cryptocurrency startup is currently licensed in the Czech Republic, Sweden, the UK, Spain, Italy and France.

Multiple licenses in different jurisdictions will better separate customers' funds from the exchange's assets, providing them with greater security, the CEO and Co-Founder of Bitpanda, Eric Bemuth, said in a statement.

Bitpanda is the first fintech unicorn from Austria. The company raised $170 million in March 2021, which pushed its valuation to $1.2 billion. The Series B funding round was led by the venture capital firm, Valar Ventures, founded by Andrew McCormack, Peter Thiel and James Fitzgerald. It was one of the largest amounts of capital raised in the Old Continent.

"Bitpanda will be able to maintain an order book and directly market services for crypto assets, enabling them to provide a secure and regulated environment for German customers to invest in a wide range of cryptocurrencies ," the company said in a press release quoted by CoinDesk.

Crypto Regulations in Europe Getting Closer?

Following the FTX cryptocurrency exchange's collapse, regulators worldwide are taking a closer look at the digital asset industry. Many experts believe this will lead to substantial and restrictive regulation of the entire industry.

The European Union, where Germany is a major member, is getting closer to regulating the niche. The entity has finalized a framework for supervising crypto service providers and issuers who would like to operate in any of the 27 member states.

However, the regulations at the European level will not come into force until 2024. Therefore, individual countries, including Germany or France, are issuing their own regulatory licenses. However, the French are ready to discard the local regulatory system for cryptocurrencies when the European Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) comes into force.

Bitpanda, a cryptocurrency exchange startup from Austria, has registered in Germany as a crypto custody service and proprietary trading provider. Through its local branch, Bitpanda Asset Management GmbH, the platform can now independently offer its products to German traders and investors.

According to the press release, Bitpanda had been applying for German authorization for months. After successfully finishing the licensing procedure, the cryptocurrency startup is currently licensed in the Czech Republic, Sweden, the UK, Spain, Italy and France.

Multiple licenses in different jurisdictions will better separate customers' funds from the exchange's assets, providing them with greater security, the CEO and Co-Founder of Bitpanda, Eric Bemuth, said in a statement.

Bitpanda is the first fintech unicorn from Austria. The company raised $170 million in March 2021, which pushed its valuation to $1.2 billion. The Series B funding round was led by the venture capital firm, Valar Ventures, founded by Andrew McCormack, Peter Thiel and James Fitzgerald. It was one of the largest amounts of capital raised in the Old Continent.

"Bitpanda will be able to maintain an order book and directly market services for crypto assets, enabling them to provide a secure and regulated environment for German customers to invest in a wide range of cryptocurrencies ," the company said in a press release quoted by CoinDesk.

Crypto Regulations in Europe Getting Closer?

Following the FTX cryptocurrency exchange's collapse, regulators worldwide are taking a closer look at the digital asset industry. Many experts believe this will lead to substantial and restrictive regulation of the entire industry.

The European Union, where Germany is a major member, is getting closer to regulating the niche. The entity has finalized a framework for supervising crypto service providers and issuers who would like to operate in any of the 27 member states.

However, the regulations at the European level will not come into force until 2024. Therefore, individual countries, including Germany or France, are issuing their own regulatory licenses. However, the French are ready to discard the local regulatory system for cryptocurrencies when the European Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) comes into force.

About the Author: Damian Chmiel
Damian Chmiel
  • 3352 Articles
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About the Author: Damian Chmiel
Damian Chmiel is a Senior Analyst & Editor at Finance Magnates with more than 15 years of experience in the CFD and online trading industry. Active as both a trader and journalist since 2010, he focuses on broker coverage, fintech innovation, and regulatory developments across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. His work includes interviews with C-level leaders at major brokerages and fintech platforms, as well as co-authoring Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry benchmarking reports. Damian’s reporting is data-driven, market-aware, and grounded in direct industry engagement. His analysis and commentary have also been cited by external media outlets, including Investing.com, Binance, The Asset, Stockhead, and Dispatch. Education: MA in Finance and Accounting, Cracow University of Economics
  • 3352 Articles
  • 105 Followers

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