Kraken strengthens its position in Europe with VASP registration. U.S. judicial disputes highlight the critical importance of regulatory compliance.
One major step forward for the cryptocurrency market is the fact that the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) has officially recognized Kraken, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP).
By obtaining this license, Kraken is able to provide a full suite of services pertaining to virtual assets in the Netherlands, such as storage, transfer, exchange, and custody.
Kraken has further strengthened its compliance services in the area with its recent success, which represents its fourth license in Europe. Spain, Italy, and Ireland are three of the exchange’s target European areas where it already possesses VASP licenses. It also has a licensed subsidiary that does operations in Belgium.
As stated in October 2023, Kraken is even more dedicated to growing its footprint in the Dutch market with the purchase of Coin Meester B.V. (BCM), a cryptocurrency exchange situated in the Netherlands. This purchase, which is still subject to regulatory clearance, is just one example of Kraken’s strategic moves to take advantage of the increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies in the Netherlands.
Kraken now conforms to the EU’s Regulation on Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework thanks to its VASP registration. In order to avoid money laundering and terrorist funding, maintain transparency in client interactions, and ensure compliance with these requirements, businesses providing digital asset services must be in existence. Thanks to its dedication to compliance, Kraken has established itself as a reliable participant in the cryptocurrency market, winning over both customers and authorities.
There are obstacles in the US market, even if Kraken is rejoicing at regulatory victories in Europe. The San Francisco-based exchange fell into trouble with the law in November 2023 when the SEC sued it.
The SEC claimed that Kraken failed to register as a clearing agency, securities exchange, broker, and dealer, and that it mixed client money. This legal dispute is reflective of others that have targeted prominent figures in the cryptocurrency business, such as Binance and Coinbase, and it indicates that the market is under increased regulatory scrutiny in the United States.
After settling with the SEC for $30 million, Kraken temporarily removed their staking offerings from the US market. By reaching this agreement, Kraken has shown its resolve to address regulatory concerns without affecting its business operations.
Compliance and regulatory alignment are cornerstones of the cryptocurrency ecosystem’s long-term success, and the exchange’s openness to authorities in a positive discussion shows this.
