Bitstamp has secured a MiFID Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF) licence from Slovenia’s Securities Market Agency, allowing it to offer a range of advanced financial products to both institutional and retail clients. This new licence is a significant milestone for Bitstamp as it enables the platform to operate within a regulated framework across the European Union.
Crypto Derivatives and More Now Available
The MTF licence authorises Bitstamp to offer crypto derivatives like perpetual swaps, allowing users to speculate on cryptocurrency price movements without expiration dates. Beyond crypto, the licence opens opportunities for trading in stocks, commodities, bonds, and other structured financial products. Bitstamp’s CEO Jean-Baptiste Graftieaux highlighted the licence as a testament to the platform’s safety, security, and compliance, underscoring the industry’s continued growth and maturity.
About Bitstamp’sMiFID and the MTF License
The MiFID MTF licence is part of the European Union’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), which establishes a regulated environment for trading a variety of financial products. Bitstamp, now one of the few exchanges licensed under this framework, can meet the growing demand for crypto products from institutional investors. Amsterdam-based D2X is among the other crypto exchanges regulated under the MTF licence.
Founded in 2021, Bitstamp was recently acquired by U.S.-based fintech firm Robinhood in a $200 million deal expected to close in early 2025. This acquisition aims to boost Robinhood’s global presence, particularly in Asia, the United Kingdom, and the EU, and expand its crypto offerings. However, Robinhood’s crypto business has faced challenges, including a Wells notice from the U.S. SEC in May, citing potential securities violations.
Institutional Demand Spurs New Crypto Products
The rising interest from institutional investors is driving exchanges to introduce more crypto-related products. In early October, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) launched Bitcoin Friday Futures (BFF), reporting a record-breaking first-day volume of over 31,498 contracts traded within two contract weeks.
With Bitstamp’s recent regulatory achievement, the exchange is set to cater to the expanding demand for crypto derivatives and other regulated financial products across the EU market.
