The Vienna-based cryptocurrency exchange BitPanda has secured a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Norway, marking a pivotal step in its broader strategy to expand across Europe. This regulatory approval strengthens BitPanda’s presence in the Nordic region and reinforces its position as one of the continent’s most widely regulated digital asset platforms.
With Norway now added to its growing list of regulated markets, BitPanda operates under official oversight in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, France, Sweden, and Spain. The company announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it has become the first non-local firm to receive a VASP license in Norway, a milestone that underscores its compliance-first approach and commitment to secure, transparent digital asset trading.
"This achievement solidifies our status as one of Europe’s most regulated brokers and enables millions of new users to access secure and reliable crypto trading services," the company stated.
👉 Discover how leading crypto platforms are navigating European regulation in 2025.
Regulatory Advancement Beyond the EU
Norway’s position outside the European Union makes this licensing development particularly significant. While many European crypto firms rely on MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) for pan-EU market access, Norway may not fully adopt MiCA as its sole regulatory framework. In May, the Norwegian Central Bank indicated that MiCA alone might not meet the country’s specific financial oversight requirements, emphasizing the need for localized regulation of virtual asset services.
This means BitPanda’s VASP license was granted through Norway’s national regulatory process — a rigorous evaluation of anti-money laundering (AML) protocols, cybersecurity infrastructure, consumer protection policies, and operational transparency. By meeting these high standards, BitPanda sets a precedent for other international crypto firms aiming to enter the Norwegian market.
The achievement also reflects BitPanda’s proactive regulatory strategy. Instead of waiting for harmonized EU-wide rules, the company is securing individual licenses in key markets, ensuring compliance regardless of future legislative shifts.
Expanding Footprint Across Europe
BitPanda’s expansion into Norway builds on a series of strategic regulatory wins over the past year. In Germany, the company successfully registered as both a crypto custody provider and proprietary trader under the German Banking Act (KWG), operating through its local entity Bitpanda Asset Management GmbH. This allows BitPanda to offer fully compliant trading and custodial services to German investors — one of Europe’s largest and most regulated financial markets.
Similarly, BitPanda obtained formal authorization from Spain’s Bank of Spain to operate as a VASP, enabling it to serve Spanish customers with regulated crypto brokerage services. This move aligned with a broader trend of crypto platforms seeking national licenses across Europe amid evolving post-MiCA preparations.
These developments highlight BitPanda’s “regulate first, scale second” philosophy. By establishing legal entities and securing approvals in each jurisdiction, the platform minimizes compliance risks while building trust with users and institutional partners.
👉 Learn how crypto exchanges are securing licenses across Europe in 2025.
Entering the UK Market Through Strategic Acquisition
Beyond continental Europe, BitPanda has extended its reach into the United Kingdom through the acquisition of Trustology, a UK-regulated institutional crypto custody provider. Following the purchase, Trustology was rebranded as Bitpanda Custody, allowing BitPanda to offer enterprise-grade digital asset storage solutions to professional clients in the UK and beyond.
This acquisition represented more than just geographic expansion — it marked BitPanda’s entry into the institutional crypto space, where demand for secure, auditable custody solutions is rising among hedge funds, family offices, and fintech firms.
However, the deal attracted scrutiny from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s primary financial regulator. The FCA issued a public notice indicating it was monitoring the change in ownership closely. It clarified that while Trustology was registered under the UK’s Money Laundering Regulations, this registration does not equate to full regulatory approval or endorsement.
As such, the FCA emphasized that it had not assessed whether the platform’s services remained compliant under Bitpanda’s ownership. This highlights an ongoing challenge in cross-border crypto acquisitions: inheriting a regulated entity doesn’t automatically transfer regulatory trust — ongoing supervision and transparency are required.
Despite this cautionary note, BitPanda has continued to integrate Bitpanda Custody into its ecosystem, focusing on enhancing security protocols and aligning operations with international compliance standards.
Core Keywords for SEO Optimization
To ensure strong search engine visibility and relevance for users seeking information on crypto regulation and market expansion, the following core keywords have been naturally integrated throughout this article:
- BitPanda VASP license
- Norway crypto regulation
- European crypto exchange
- crypto licensing in Europe
- BitPanda expansion
- regulated cryptocurrency platform
- MiCA regulation Norway
- crypto custody UK
These terms reflect high-intent search queries related to regulatory developments, market access, and platform credibility — all critical factors for investors, traders, and industry professionals evaluating crypto platforms in 2025.
👉 Explore how global crypto platforms are achieving regulatory compliance in key markets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a VASP license, and why is it important?
A: A Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license permits companies to legally offer crypto-related services like trading, custody, and exchange. It ensures compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and consumer protection laws, enhancing trust and operational legitimacy.
Q: Is BitPanda regulated in the EU?
A: Yes. BitPanda holds VASP or equivalent licenses in multiple European countries, including Germany, France, Austria, Sweden, and Spain. It complies with local regulations even as the EU prepares to fully implement MiCA.
Q: Why is Norway’s VASP license significant for BitPanda?
A: Because Norway is not part of the EU, obtaining a local license demonstrates BitPanda’s ability to meet standalone national regulations. It also positions the company ahead of potential future MiCA alignment discussions in Norway.
Q: Did the FCA approve Bitpanda’s acquisition of Trustology?
A: No. The FCA did not approve the acquisition. It only confirmed that Trustology was previously registered under UK anti-money laundering rules. The regulator stressed it had not reviewed compliance under Bitpanda’s ownership.
Q: Can UK users currently use Bitpanda services?
A: Yes. Through Bitpanda Custody, the company serves institutional clients in the UK. Retail users may access certain services, but offerings are tailored to comply with UK financial regulations.
Q: How does BitPanda’s licensing strategy compare to other European exchanges?
A: Unlike some platforms relying solely on MiCA anticipation, BitPanda pursues active national licensing — a more conservative but trustworthy approach that ensures immediate compliance across diverse jurisdictions.
This proactive regulatory posture positions BitPanda as a leader in responsible innovation within the rapidly evolving European digital asset landscape.