Bitstamp Gains Key MTF License in Slovenia to Expand Crypto Offerings

By receiving a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF) license from Slovenia’s Securities Market Agency, Bitstamp has accomplished a noteworthy regulatory milestone. This license enables Bitstamp to serve both institutional and retail customers by providing a greater range of products, such as cryptocurrency derivatives like perpetual swaps.

The MTF license not only provides a path for Bitstamp to expand its offerings but also allows investors access to crypto derivatives without needing to hold the assets directly. Investors can now use Bitstamp’s efficient spot exchange for a more diverse trading experience. Jean-Baptiste Graftieaux, Bitstamp’s global CEO, shared the company’s enthusiasm, saying, “We’re immensely proud to be one of the first cryptocurrency exchanges to be granted the MiFID MTF license. Not only is it a testament to our safety, security, trustworthiness, and compliance, but it is also emblematic of the industry’s increasing maturity as a whole.”

Benefits of the MTF License for Investors and Institutions

With the recently obtained license, Bitstamp can now run a multilateral trading facility that offers a controlled setting for the trading of financial items, including cryptocurrency assets, by numerous participants. This classification makes Bitstamp one of the first cryptocurrency exchanges in the EU to function in accordance with MiFID regulations for crypto derivatives.

For institutional investors, this license presents a new avenue to enhance capital efficiency and execute complex trading strategies within a compliant framework. Graftieaux noted, “With this license, Bitstamp will be able to offer derivatives products to investors, helping to usher in a trading ecosystem that supports a range of trading and investment strategies, including helping institutional investors achieve increased capital efficiency.”

In order to regulate financial markets, including stocks, securities, and derivatives, within the European Union, the MiFID framework is crucial. Bitstamp’s acquisition of this license demonstrates its dedication to strict guidelines in fields like investor protection and anti-money laundering (AML). Being a licensed MTF strengthens Bitstamp’s standing as a safe and legal platform, demonstrating its commitment to protecting customers while growing its market share.

This move is a major breakthrough for Bitstamp and demonstrates how the EU is beginning to acknowledge bitcoin exchanges as important participants in the financial industry. Bitstamp is well-positioned to act as a link between institutional and retail investors looking for safe, regulated access to cryptocurrency futures thanks to its MiFID MTF license.