Our MiCA Hub for Europe

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By Erald Ghoos, CEO of OKX Europe

I'm proud to announce that OKX has officially selected Malta as its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) hub—a strategic milestone in our European expansion. This decision empowers us to deliver secure, compliant, and innovative crypto services to over 450 million EU residents in the coming months. By leveraging MiCA licensing through our Maltese entity, we’re building a trusted gateway for European users to access regulated digital asset markets with seamless integration into local banking systems.

👉 Discover how easy it is to start your crypto journey in Europe today.

The European Union: A New Frontier for Crypto Innovation

The EU represents one of the most promising regions for crypto adoption, combining a large, tech-savvy population with a forward-thinking regulatory environment. With the full implementation of MiCA on the horizon, OKX is positioned to offer cross-border crypto services across all 27 member states—backed by a single license issued in Malta.

This regulatory harmonization removes previous fragmentation, enabling users from Lisbon to Lithuania to access the same high-standard products. For responsible investors, this means greater transparency, enhanced consumer protections, and reliable access to spot trading, staking, and more—services designed with compliance, security, and usability at their core.

Why Malta? Our Strategic Choice for the MiCA Hub

After evaluating multiple jurisdictions, we chose Malta for its robust and well-established regulatory framework for virtual financial assets. The country has long been a pioneer in blockchain legislation, setting early benchmarks for licensing, anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, and cybersecurity standards.

Our local presence strengthens this foundation. Since opening our office in 2018, we’ve grown a dedicated team on the ground. In 2021, our subsidiary Okcoin Europe Ltd became licensed as a Class 4 Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) Service Provider by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)—a critical step that now underpins our broader MiCA passporting strategy.

This deep regulatory integration allows us to scale efficiently across Europe while maintaining the highest levels of operational integrity.

Key Advantages of Our Malta-Based MiCA Hub:

👉 See how OKX is leading secure and compliant crypto access in Europe.

What This Means for OKX Customers in the EU

As MiCA takes full effect by December 30, 2024, we're preparing to roll out a comprehensive suite of services tailored for European users. Our goal is to make crypto accessible, intuitive, and safe—without compromising on innovation.

Here’s what EU customers can expect:

We’re also committed to education and transparency. Through our OKX Insights blog, we continue publishing accessible guides and market analysis. Additionally, we release monthly Proof of Reserves reports—verifiable evidence that customer assets are fully backed.

Expanding Across Europe: From Malta to Major Markets

Our MiCA hub in Malta is not just a compliance milestone—it’s a launchpad for pan-European growth. Building on this foundation, we’ve successfully extended our regulated services into several key markets:

France

We’ve launched a fully regulated centralized exchange in France through MiCA passporting. This enables French users to trade securely within a framework recognized and supervised under EU law.

Spain

Spanish crypto enthusiasts now have access to our compliant platform, offering spot trading and staking with local payment support—bringing greater choice and trust to the market.

Germany and Poland

We’ve officially entered both Germany and Poland with regulated exchanges. These launches reflect strong regional demand and our commitment to meeting local expectations for security and service quality.

Each market entry follows the same principles: regulatory compliance, user protection, and long-term sustainability.

Strengthening Trust: ISO/IEC 27001 Certification Achieved

Security is non-negotiable. That’s why we’re proud to announce that OKX has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification—the global benchmark for information security management systems (ISMS).

This certification validates that our policies, technologies, and processes meet rigorous international standards for safeguarding user data and digital assets. From encryption protocols to employee training and incident response, every layer of our system undergoes continuous assessment and improvement.

For users, this means peace of mind knowing their accounts are protected by one of the most respected security frameworks in the world.

Introducing OKX Pay: A New Era in Crypto Payments

In parallel with our European expansion, we’re innovating beyond trading. OKX Pay—now launching as a sub-app within the OKX platform—is designed to bridge crypto with everyday spending.

Initially available in select markets and rolling out globally over the coming months, OKX Pay enables users to make real-world purchases using digital assets—ushering in a new generation of crypto utility.

This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about mainstream adoption. By simplifying how people use crypto for payments, we’re helping build the financial infrastructure of the decentralized future.

Looking Ahead: Building a Sustainable Crypto Future in Europe

Our journey in Europe is just beginning. With Malta as our MiCA hub, we’re laying the groundwork for responsible innovation across the continent. We believe that regulation and innovation aren’t opposites—they’re allies in building a safer, more inclusive financial ecosystem.

As we grow our community, we remain focused on three pillars:

We’re excited to walk this path alongside European users, regulators, and partners—shaping the future of finance together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is MiCA and why does it matter?
A: MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) is the European Union’s comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto assets. It establishes clear rules for issuers and service providers, ensuring consumer protection, market integrity, and cross-border scalability. For users, it means safer access to crypto services across Europe.

Q: Can I use OKX if I live in an EU country?
A: Yes—OKX is expanding regulated services across the EU via MiCA passporting from Malta. Users in France, Spain, Germany, Poland, and other member states can now access compliant trading, staking, and deposit/withdrawal options.

Q: Is my money safe on OKX?
A: OKX prioritizes security through multi-layered protections including cold storage, two-factor authentication (2FA), regular audits, and ISO/IEC 27001 certification. We also publish monthly Proof of Reserves to verify asset backing.

Q: Does OKX support EUR deposits and withdrawals?
A: Yes—users can seamlessly deposit and withdraw euros via local banking methods integrated into the platform.

Q: What cryptocurrencies will be available for trading?
A: We offer spot trading for major cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, and others—with EUR and stablecoin trading pairs optimized for European users.

Q: When will OKX Pay be available in Europe?
A: OKX Pay is rolling out gradually. European users can expect access in phases over the next few months as we expand its functionality and regional support.

This content is provided for informational purposes only and may cover products not available in your region. It does not constitute investment advice, an offer to buy/sell assets, or financial/legal/tax guidance. Cryptocurrencies involve high risk—please consult a professional before making decisions.