Bitpanda Gains FCA Approval to Expand Crypto Services in the UK

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The Austrian-based cryptocurrency platform Bitpanda has taken a significant step forward in its international expansion by securing regulatory approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This milestone enables Bitpanda to relaunch and scale its services for UK users, offering access to over 500 crypto assets and a comprehensive suite of investment tools.

With this authorization, Bitpanda aligns its UK offerings with those available across the European Union—marking a strategic move toward regulatory consistency and enhanced user experience. The platform now provides British investors with a wide range of services, including staking, savings plans, and crypto index investing, all under a compliant and secure framework.

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A Strategic Comeback After Temporary Pause

In 2023, Bitpanda temporarily halted onboarding new users in the UK as part of its compliance response to stricter financial promotion (FinProm) rules introduced by the FCA in October of that year. These regulations imposed tighter controls on crypto advertising, banned referral bonuses, and required clearer risk disclosures—measures aimed at protecting retail investors from high-risk digital asset products.

Despite the pause, existing customers were allowed to continue using their accounts without interruption. Now, with full FCA approval in hand, Bitpanda is resuming active operations in the UK market.

Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Deputy CEO of Bitpanda, emphasized the importance of this development:

“With this new brokerage service approval, we’ll be able to give users access to more than 500 cryptocurrencies, along with staking, savings plans, and other services.”

This return reflects Bitpanda’s long-term commitment to operating within regulated environments and delivering secure, transparent crypto investment options to users worldwide.

Full Alignment with EU Market Offerings

Bitpanda's UK service rollout follows closely on the heels of its recent licensing under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, granted on January 23, 2025. MiCA allows Bitpanda to operate seamlessly across all 27 EU member states under a unified regulatory framework—a major advantage for cross-border scalability.

According to Enzersdorfer-Konrad, the platform’s UK offering will mirror its EU counterpart in nearly every aspect.

“Our product range is constantly expanding—last year alone, we added over 100 new cryptocurrencies. While we’re committed to offering a broad selection of digital assets, there are currently no plans to introduce UK-specific cryptocurrencies. Our services in the UK will therefore be identical to those in the EU.”

This parity ensures that British users receive the same level of choice, functionality, and innovation as their European counterparts—without fragmentation or regional limitations.

Regulatory Compliance Shapes Product Decisions

As part of its adherence to both FCA and MiCA standards, Bitpanda has made deliberate decisions about which assets to list. Notably, the platform will not offer Tether’s USDt stablecoin to users in either the UK or the EU.

A company spokesperson confirmed to Cointelegraph:

“Bitpanda will not provide USDt to customers in the UK or EU.”

This decision aligns with broader industry trends. Under MiCA, several major exchanges—including Coinbase, Crypto.com, and Kraken—have delisted USDT from their European platforms due to compliance challenges related to reserve transparency and investor protection.

By proactively excluding non-compliant assets, Bitpanda reinforces its reputation as a trustworthy, regulation-first platform focused on long-term sustainability rather than short-term gains.

Strong Foundation Built on Early Market Entry

Bitpanda’s presence in the UK is not entirely new. Since 2021, the company has been officially registered with the FCA as a cryptoasset custody provider for business clients. It also maintains a local team dedicated to supporting institutional and enterprise clients.

This early registration demonstrated Bitpanda’s forward-looking approach to regulation—a strategy that has paid off with today’s expanded approval.

Being an established player in the UK market gives Bitpanda a competitive edge in trust and recognition. Combined with its MiCA license, this positions the company as one of the few crypto platforms fully authorized to serve both EU and UK markets under strict regulatory oversight.

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FAQ: Your Questions About Bitpanda’s UK Expansion

Q: What does FCA approval mean for Bitpanda users in the UK?
A: FCA authorization means Bitpanda operates under strict financial regulations designed to protect consumers. Users benefit from enhanced security, transparent practices, and access to regulated crypto services such as trading, staking, and savings plans.

Q: Can I stake cryptocurrencies on Bitpanda in the UK?
A: Yes. With FCA approval, Bitpanda offers staking services to UK users, allowing them to earn rewards by participating in blockchain networks—fully compliant with local regulations.

Q: Are savings plans available for UK investors?
A: Absolutely. Bitpanda provides flexible crypto savings plans that let users invest small amounts regularly—ideal for dollar-cost averaging into digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Q: Why isn’t USDT available on Bitpanda in the UK or EU?
A: Due to evolving regulatory requirements under MiCA and FCA guidelines, Bitpanda has chosen not to list USDt to ensure full compliance with asset transparency and investor protection rules.

Q: How many cryptocurrencies can UK users access on Bitpanda?
A: Over 500 cryptocurrencies are now available, giving UK investors one of the broadest selections in the market—all accessible through a single, regulated platform.

Q: Is Bitpanda safe for long-term crypto investing?
A: Yes. With dual compliance in both the EU (under MiCA) and the UK (under FCA), Bitpanda offers a secure, audited environment for holding and growing digital assets over time.

Looking Ahead: Building Trust Through Regulation

Bitpanda’s successful navigation of complex regulatory landscapes in both Europe and the UK underscores a growing trend in the crypto industry: the shift from unregulated experimentation to structured, compliant innovation.

By prioritizing regulatory alignment over rapid expansion, Bitpanda sets itself apart as a model for responsible growth in the digital asset space. Its ability to offer consistent services across jurisdictions—without compromising on compliance—positions it as a leader in the next generation of global crypto platforms.

👉 Explore regulated crypto platforms that prioritize security and compliance.

Core Keywords:

As investor demand for safe and transparent crypto solutions continues to rise, platforms like Bitpanda demonstrate that compliance and convenience can go hand in hand—delivering powerful tools without sacrificing trust.