Facing challenges in the US, the crypto exchange Coinbase has identified its primary global regulatory hub as Ireland. The platform has already applied for a license from the Central Bank of Ireland, aiming to align with new European regulations set to take effect in December 2024.

Coinbase Chooses Ireland amid Regulatory Challenges in the US

As the US tightens regulatory measures on cryptocurrency companies and the future of the market in the country remains uncertain, Coinbase has started looking for alternatives.

The European Union's (EU) Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations, which will come into effect at the end of last year, are expected to provide such. If Coinbase secures a license from Ireland's central bank, it will be able to offer its services to all EU customers under "passporting" rights, opening up to a base of 450 million people.

Why Ireland over France, Germany, or Italy? In a conversation with CNBC, which first reported the news, Coinbase revealed that it has been operating its office in Dublin for over five years, employing a team of more than 100 professionals there. Ireland was, therefore, a natural choice.

Coinbase picks Ireland as its main EU regulatory hub as U.S. authorities go on the offensive https://t.co/prQTysNsQR

— CNBC (@CNBC) October 19, 2023

Coinbase is confident it will secure a license in Ireland and be prepared from day one when MiCA regulations come into effect, Nana Murugesan, the Vice President of Coinbase's International Operations, said to CNBC.

MiCA and Legal Challenges in the US

MiCA establishes a standardized regulatory landscape for digital assets throughout the European Union. Officially sanctioned in May 2023, this groundbreaking crypto law is slated to be implemented in December 2024, with a potential transition period extending to July 2026, depending on the individual EU member state.

The Council has just adopted the first-ever EU rules on markets in crypto-assets and services.

The new regulation aims to improve transparency, preserve financial stability and increase consumer protection while fostering innovation. #DigitalFinanceEU #MiCA

— EU Council (@EUCouncil) May 16, 2023

The regulation aims to safeguard European consumers, promote environmental sustainability, and combat money laundering in the crypto sector. It mandates that digital asset exchanges and wallet providers secure a license to operate in any EU country and requires stablecoin issuers to maintain adequate reserves.

While Europe fosters a conducive regulatory environment for crypto businesses, the United States is taking legal action against them. In June, the two largest US-based exchanges, Binance and Coinbase, faced lawsuits. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has accused Coinbase of running an unauthorized trading platform that offered unregistered digital asset securities. The SEC also alleged that Coinbase had been operating a staking-as-a-service program without proper authorization.

Today we charged Coinbase, Inc. with operating its crypto asset trading platform as an unregistered national securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency and for failing to register the offer and sale of its crypto asset staking-as-a-service program.https://t.co/XPG2gDkxtV pic.twitter.com/hCdVMw8B2v

— U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (@SECGov) June 6, 2023

This legal action against Coinbase followed closely on the heels of charges against Binance, the world's leading crypto exchange by trading volume, for allegedly running an illegal operation.