How Bitpanda & OKX Secured Landmark EU and UK Clearance
Cryptocurrency trading platforms Bitpanda and OKX have secured regulatory approvals to expand operations across Britain and the European Union, marking a shift in the digital asset trading landscape.
Vienna-based Bitpanda, which provides cryptocurrency trading services to six million users, has received approval from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate in Britain.
“Being Europe's leading crypto platform means being in the UK—there was no question about it,” says Eric Demuth, CEO and Co-Founder of Bitpanda. “This was the last missing piece to truly serve all Europeans.”
The approval enables the platform to offer more than 500 cryptocurrencies alongside staking - a process where users earn rewards for helping validate blockchain transactions - and crypto indices.
The company plans to establish a permanent UK office to develop products specifically for British investors.
Simultaneously, cryptocurrency exchange OKX has secured passporting rights across the European Economic Area (EEA) following its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) licence approval in January.
“Securing the MiCA license and achieving passporting rights underscores our unwavering commitment to providing secure, transparent, and localised crypto services across the EEA,” says Erald Ghoos, CEO of OKX Europe.
Market infrastructure developments
Both platforms are significantly expanding their operational presence.
“The UK is one of the world's most significant financial hubs, home to some of the most innovative companies and a thriving cryptoasset economy,” says Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Deputy CEO at Bitpanda.
“The UK is the perfect market for Bitpanda, and we are the perfect company for the UK.”
OKX will provide services across 28 EEA countries from its Malta hub. The expansion includes integration with the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) transfer system for zero-cost deposits and withdrawals.
The platform offers more than 240 digital assets and 60 euro-denominated trading pairs, alongside localised interfaces across web and mobile platforms with regional language support.
The regulatory landscape for digital assets continues to evolve. MiCA, which took effect in 2024, requires crypto asset service providers to meet capital requirements, governance standards and investor protection measures.
Both Bitpanda and OKX have emphasised their commitment to these regulatory frameworks.
Institutional service evolution
Beyond retail services, both companies are developing their institutional offerings. Bitpanda Technology Solutions, the company's infrastructure division, provides technology to European banks including LBBW, RLB, and N26.
This service will become available to UK financial institutions seeking to integrate digital asset trading.
OKX operates both centralised exchange services and decentralised platforms, serving 60 million users globally.
The firm secured four regulatory approvals in 2024 across various jurisdictions, demonstrating its commitment to compliant expansion.
The developments reflect broader changes in the digital asset sector. Platforms are increasingly focused on regulatory compliance and institutional services, while maintaining their retail offerings.
Bitpanda's UK approval and OKX's EEA passporting rights suggest growing acceptance of digital assets within traditional financial frameworks.
Both companies emphasise localisation and regulatory compliance as core elements of their expansion plans.
The moves come as digital asset firms face increased scrutiny over consumer protection and financial stability, with both platforms positioning themselves as regulated alternatives.
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