- Webull EU secured MiCA authorisation from the Dutch regulator after the 1 July grandfathering period.
- MiCA consolidated the market to 200 licensed firms, while stablecoins require separate EMI licences.
- The EU Parliament urges addressing gaps in DeFi, staking, and NFTs to prevent renewed fragmentation.
Webull Securities (Europe) B.V. has secured authorisation under Europe’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation from the Dutch regulator. The authorization is among the first major approvals issued after the EU’s grandfathering period ended on July 1, 2026. The firm plans to leverage the licence to launch crypto operations and custody services in late 2026.
Webull EU Secures MiCA Authorisation
Webull EU has received approval from the Dutch regulator under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. This approval represents one of the first major approvals after the grandfathering period ended on 1 July. The transition period allowed crypto firms previously holding national Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) registrations to transition into the harmonised EU framework.
Meanwhile, Webull entered the EU market via the Netherlands in 2025 and reported first quarter 2026 revenues of US$159.9M, a 36% year on year increase. The group also operates a zero commission model in the US and a retail brokerage in the UK. Andries van Luijk, CEO of Webull EU, said the MiCA authorisation marks a significant milestone in the group’s European expansion.
The MiCA Landscape and EU Regulatory Challenges
MiCA’s full implementation has consolidated the European crypto market, with the number of fully licensed firms now around 200, out of over 1,200 previously holding national registrations. This represents a conversion rate of roughly 17–20%, leaving many firms, including Binance, without full MiCA authorisation before the transitional deadline and face restrictions or exits.
Furthermore, MiCA has created a single market for crypto services with stricter rules on licensing, consumer protection, transparency, and operational resilience. However, gaps remain in areas such as stablecoins, which are largely treated as electronic money and require separate Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licensing under central bank oversight.
Related: Europe’s ESMA Launches CSA to Increase Crypto Compliance
What’s Next for EU Crypto Regulation?
In response, the European Commission initiated a targeted consultation in May 2026, which was extended until 30 September, to evaluate whether MiCA remains “fit for purpose.” The review collects feedback from industry, national authorities and stakeholders on the framework’s effectiveness, amid evolving markets and policy developments.
A key priority is addressing regulatory gaps around DeFi, staking, NFTs, and tokenised assets. The European Parliament calls for specific regulations on DeFi and staking due to shadow-banking risks in lending/borrowing and disclosure and consumer protection deficiencies in yield products. There is also a need for greater clarity in the classification of NFTs and tokenised assets to avoid fragmentation.
Therefore, the integration of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) under DAC8 and the DLT Pilot Regime updates could further influence the future of EU crypto regulation. The harmonised 450-million-consumer market could present new opportunities for compliant firms like Webull EU, but evolving rules could demand agility to balance innovation with robust protection.
Related: Over 80% of EU Crypto Firms Yet to Obtain Full MiCA License Despite Looming Deadline
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