Webull wins MiCAR approval to launch crypto services across Europe

Webull EU has secured MiCAR approval in the Netherlands, clearing the way to launch regulated crypto custody services for European clients later this year under the bloc’s digital asset rulebook.

Webull EU announced on Monday that the approval from the Netherlands’ Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) allows the company to begin offering crypto-asset services under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), with an initial rollout planned in the Netherlands before expanding across the rest of the EU through passporting.

The approval makes Webull one of the first dual-regulated investment firms in the Netherlands to receive MiCAR authorization, according to the company. Crypto assets held by clients will be custodied by Webull EU, while trade execution will be handled through a partnership with Coinbase Luxembourg S.A.

“We are pleased to have received MiCAR approval from the AFM, marking an important milestone in Webull’s European ambitions,” Andries van Luijk, CEO of Webull Securities (Europe), said. He added that the company intends to provide clients with regulated access to digital assets under the EU’s new framework.

Webull prepares EU crypto rollout

Once operations begin in late 2026, European users will be able to place crypto orders through the Webull platform across multiple asset classes. According to the company, the MiCAR approval also allows it to provide regulated custody services that meet the investor protection and operational standards required under the EU framework.

While the initial approval covers the Netherlands, Webull said passporting approval remains pending before it can extend the service across other EU member states under MiCAR’s single licensing regime.

The development comes as more financial and crypto firms secure MiCAR authorisation following the end of the regulation’s transition period on July 1. Under the framework, companies authorised in one member state can offer covered crypto services across the European Economic Area without obtaining separate licences in each country.

MiCAR approvals continue across Europe

Recent approvals have increasingly centred on Luxembourg, which has become a key licensing base for firms expanding regulated crypto operations in Europe.

Earlier this month, Ripple received a full Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) licence from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, allowing it to offer regulated crypto payment services across the European Economic Area. The company said the approval completed its MiCA requirements and expanded its regulated payments business to all 30 EEA countries.

Bridge also secured both a MiCA CASP authorization and an Electronic Money Institution licence in Luxembourg, enabling it to provide euro-backed stablecoin infrastructure, virtual IBANs and cross-border euro payment services throughout the European Union.

The regulatory transition has also prompted changes across the industry. As previously reported by crypto.news, Coinbase, Kraken and Crypto.com removed USDT trading for European users after Tether chose not to seek MiCA authorization, while Binance introduced service changes to comply with the new framework.