The acquisition provides Coinbase with a CySEC license, enabling it to offer CFDs across the EEA.
The crypto exchange’s focus seems to be on professional and institutional clients only.
A screenshot of the license details of Coinbase's new CY entity on CySEC's registry
Coinbase, the US-listed cryptocurrency exchange giant, has acquired the Cyprus unit of BUX (formerly Stryk) and renamed the entity Coinbase Financial Services Europe, Finance Magnates has learned.
Yorick Naeff, CEO of BUX; Photo: BUX
Yorick Naeff, CEO of BUX, also confirmed the deal, saying: “We are pleased with the sale of our MiFID licensed entity, BUX Europe Limited (BEU) to Coinbase, a globally recognised leader in the crypto industry.”
Is Coinbase Exploring CFDs?
With this acquisition, Coinbase now holds a Cyprus Investment Firm (CIF) license, which authorizes it to offer contracts for differences (CFDs) products. Additionally, the crypto exchange can passport this Cyprus license to provide financial products across other European Economic Area (EEA) member states.
The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) registry confirms that the domain “coinbase.com/international-exchange/europe” has been approved by the regulator, although it is not yet operational. While there is no official confirmation from the crypto exchange, Coinbase appears to be targeting professional and institutional clients with its offerings under the Cyprus license.
Coinbase’s interest in BUX's Cyprus entity seems to center on acquiring the license and operational infrastructure rather than the previous client base. According to earlier reports by Finance Magnates, BUX migrated its Cyprus-based clients to AvaTrade, another CFD broker.
The deal appears to have been finalized last October, as the registry of Belgium’s Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) indicates that the entity’s name was changed from Bux Europe Ltd to Coinbase Financial Services Europe Ltd on October 11, 2024.
Details about Coinbase Financial Services Europe on FSMA registry
Finance Magnates reached out to Coinbase for further details on the acquisition, but the crypto exchange simply pointed out a blog post published in January 2024, mentioning its plans to acquire a MiFID-licensed entity. The blog was later updated stating that Coinbase "closed the acquisition of an EU MiFID II license from Bux."
Headquartered in the Netherlands, BUX provides investment services to European retail clients. Its primary business was acquired by Dutch bank ABN AMRO last year, with assurances that BUX would continue operating independently.
“[The latest] divestment aligns BUX Holding’s strategic shift to focus exclusively on our shares and ETF offering, which was recently acquired by ABN AMRO Bank,” Naeff added. “We wish Coinbase continued success as they expand their presence in the European market.”
Coinbase, the US-listed cryptocurrency exchange giant, has acquired the Cyprus unit of BUX (formerly Stryk) and renamed the entity Coinbase Financial Services Europe, Finance Magnates has learned.
Yorick Naeff, CEO of BUX; Photo: BUX
Yorick Naeff, CEO of BUX, also confirmed the deal, saying: “We are pleased with the sale of our MiFID licensed entity, BUX Europe Limited (BEU) to Coinbase, a globally recognised leader in the crypto industry.”
Is Coinbase Exploring CFDs?
With this acquisition, Coinbase now holds a Cyprus Investment Firm (CIF) license, which authorizes it to offer contracts for differences (CFDs) products. Additionally, the crypto exchange can passport this Cyprus license to provide financial products across other European Economic Area (EEA) member states.
The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) registry confirms that the domain “coinbase.com/international-exchange/europe” has been approved by the regulator, although it is not yet operational. While there is no official confirmation from the crypto exchange, Coinbase appears to be targeting professional and institutional clients with its offerings under the Cyprus license.
Coinbase’s interest in BUX's Cyprus entity seems to center on acquiring the license and operational infrastructure rather than the previous client base. According to earlier reports by Finance Magnates, BUX migrated its Cyprus-based clients to AvaTrade, another CFD broker.
The deal appears to have been finalized last October, as the registry of Belgium’s Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) indicates that the entity’s name was changed from Bux Europe Ltd to Coinbase Financial Services Europe Ltd on October 11, 2024.
Details about Coinbase Financial Services Europe on FSMA registry
Finance Magnates reached out to Coinbase for further details on the acquisition, but the crypto exchange simply pointed out a blog post published in January 2024, mentioning its plans to acquire a MiFID-licensed entity. The blog was later updated stating that Coinbase "closed the acquisition of an EU MiFID II license from Bux."
Headquartered in the Netherlands, BUX provides investment services to European retail clients. Its primary business was acquired by Dutch bank ABN AMRO last year, with assurances that BUX would continue operating independently.
“[The latest] divestment aligns BUX Holding’s strategic shift to focus exclusively on our shares and ETF offering, which was recently acquired by ABN AMRO Bank,” Naeff added. “We wish Coinbase continued success as they expand their presence in the European market.”
Arnab is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He entered the industry covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates and later expanded his reach to forex as well. He is passionate about the changing regulatory landscape on financial markets and keenly follows the disruptions in the industry with new-age technologies.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
