Webull received approval from MiCAR in the Netherlands and plans to cooperate with Coinbase to expan

Webull EU received approval from the Netherlands's MiCAR to expand EU crypto business through Coinbase

Webull EU, the European arm of U.S. brokerage Webull Corporation, has received approval from Dutch regulators in accordance with the EU Cryptographic Asset Markets Regulation (MiCAR) framework. The authorization allows Webull EU to launch regulated crypto hosting services in the Netherlands, marking an important step towards its pan-European expansion.

MiCAR Licensing promotes launch of crypto services

The Dutch financial regulator, the Financial Markets Authority (AFM), has issued a license to Webull EU to provide crypto asset services under MiCAR. With this approval, Webull EU will provide digital asset custody services on its mature investment platform, allowing customers to obtain cryptocurrencies in compliance with regulations in addition to traditional financial products.

Webull will be responsible for the custody of client assets, while crypto transactions on the platform will be handled by Coinbase Luxembourg S.A. Through this cooperation, Webull does not need to build its own digital asset trading infrastructure, but uses Coinbase's capabilities to efficiently execute customer orders.

Andries van Luijk, CEO of Webull Securities (Europe), emphasized the importance of this milestone to the growth of the company's European business. He said the company is committed to ensuring safety and compliance under EU digital asset regulatory standards. Andries van Luijk pointed out that the approval demonstrates Webull's ambition to provide secure and compliant digital asset services in line with the evolving European regulatory environment.

After receiving MiCAR approval, Webull became one of the first investment platforms in the Netherlands to hold dual regulatory licenses for both traditional assets and crypto custody. This consolidates its preferred position as an investor to obtain digital assets through reliable regulated service providers.

Small Dictionary: MiCAR, the "Crypto Asset Market Regulation", is the EU's comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets and service providers, aiming to unify the crypto regulations of member states and protect investors.

Plans to launch EU passport service by the end of 2026

Webull plans to launch encryption services in the Netherlands by the end of 2026. To achieve EU-wide services, companies are applying for a laissez-passer permit-a mechanism that allows service providers licensed in one member state to expand their business throughout the EU without having to apply for additional national permits. The pass process is considered key to Webull's broader promotion strategy to support its customers in multiple European markets under a single regulatory license. Prior to this, MiCAR was authorized only for the Dutch market.

The following is a comparison of relevant platforms:

Webull EU: The initial country is the Netherlands, the crypto custodian is Webull, the transaction executor is Coinbase Luxembourg, and the EU expansion plan is Yes (Passport). Coinbase: The initial country is multiple EU countries, both crypto custody and transaction execution are Coinbase, and the EU expansion plan is Yes.

MiCAR regulatory changes have prompted other companies such as Ripple and Bridge to seek similar European approvals to respond to growing demand for compliance services. After the MiCAR transition period ends, companies are accelerating the licensing process, further strengthening the region's new crypto compliance environment.

Traditional financial platforms embrace digital assets

As more investment platforms align with regulatory standards, competition in the European digital asset market is becoming increasingly fierce. Webull's move combines crypto custody with existing investment services and aims to attract investors who prefer to obtain digital assets through well-known financial service providers. This trend highlights the convergence of traditional finance and digital asset markets-mature investment companies are actively expanding into the crypto space with regulatory support and trusted partner infrastructure.