Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, has revealed its plans to acquire Coin Meester B.V. (BCM), a prominent crypto exchange based in the Netherlands, as part of its strategy to expand its presence in Europe. The CEO of Kraken, David Ripley, highlighted the importance of the Netherlands in their growth strategy, citing its strong economy and culture of innovation. Kraken also emphasized its recent regulatory approvals in countries like Ireland, Italy, and Spain, and expressed its intention to secure more registrations across Europe. The Netherlands ranks sixth among European nations in terms of its population’s investment in digital currencies. While the acquisition deal with BCM awaits finalization, Kraken has not disclosed the purchase amount. Kraken is also facing legal issues in Australia related to its margin trading offering. This aligns with the broader European regulatory sentiment to strengthen crypto regulations, such as the endorsement of the MiCA legislation. Meanwhile, eToro has obtained regulatory clearance in the European Union as a Crypto Assets Service Provider. In contrast to the regulatory landscape in the US, where Bitcoin ETF launches are still being debated, Europe recently celebrated its first Bitcoin ETF listing on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange.
