Table of Contents
If you’ve been following what’s happening in the crypto world recently, you’ve probably heard a lot about MiCA. And rightfully so we gotta say. That’s because July 1st 2026 marks the biggest regulatory change Europe has ever seen for the crypto industry.
So yes, today is a big day for the industry, but also for us because… drums roll...
We’re thrilled, and proud, to announce that Venga has officially received its MiCA license from Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV)!!!
This is a major milestone for our company, and makes Venga the first Catalan crypto investment platform to secure a MiCA license. Plus, we’re currently the only licensed player serving the Catalan-speaking community, while continuing to offer our platform in Spanish and English of course (more coming soon by the way).
Behind this announcement is a lot of work across every area of the business and a lot of dedication from everyone at Venga. But why is it such a big deal?
What Is MiCA?
The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework is the European Union’s first unified rulebook for the crypto industry.
Before MiCA, crypto companies in the EU operated under different national regulations, each country had its own. So naturally, requirements varied from one country to another, with some more flexible and some more strict, which created a fragmented and unbalanced market for both the companies and the users.
Well, MiCA changes that. It introduces a single common framework for all 27 EU member states. So now, instead of navigating different national regulations, companies can (and must) obtain this one and only authorization that allows them to operate across the whole European Union.
To obtain this authorization, companies must meet strict standards covering the entire business activities scope including cybersecurity, transparency, governance, operational resilience, risk management and customer protection.
The objective is to give companies clear rules to operate under, and make crypto services safer for the users as our Chief Compliance Officer, Ana Carolina, explains:
“Around 50% of the MiCA process is entirely dedicated to ensuring customer safety: handling complaints, securing assets, and guaranteeing our wallets are protected. It is really a balance of internal governance and consumer protection.”
To be clear, MiCA doesn’t change how crypto works, but it changes how crypto companies are expected to operate in order to provide a more secure ecosystem for the investors. It brings crypto regulation closer to the level expected from traditional financial services.
A Turning Point for the Crypto Industry
As mentioned, today is the end of MiCA’s transition period. From now on, companies offering regulated crypto services in the European Union need a MiCA license to continue operating. If not, they’re legally required to stop their activities (yes, we’re right on time).
This is probably the biggest change the European crypto industry has ever experienced. Before MiCA, around 1,200 crypto companies operated across Europe and had to hold multiple registrations to properly operate across different countries (resulting in more than 3,000 total national registrations).
But as of today, only around 250 of those companies have received the MiCA license. That number gives a clear idea of how impactful this regulation is for the industry.
For users, this framework creates a clearer distinction between trustworthy platforms and companies that don’t meet EU’s new standards. As Anna points out:
"Unregulated companies are inherently assuming risk. If you go to a platform without a license, you don't know the reality behind the curtains. Companies with a license are the ones building to exist long-term."
Also, an important point to remember is that obtaining the MiCA license isn’t a one-time achievement. The licensed companies remain under permanent supervision from the regulators and must continue meeting the strict requirements of the regulation. If they don’t, their license will be withdrawn.
As our CEO and co-founder, Michael Stroev, clarifies:
“For users, MiCA introduces a level of regulatory accountability that has not previously existed across much of the European crypto sector. Authorization is not a one-time event. Licensed firms are subject to continuous supervision and must maintain compliance with operational, financial, and customer protection requirements on an ongoing basis.”
As MiCA becomes the new industry standard, regulation, security, and compliance will play a much bigger role in how people choose their crypto platform.
What MiCA Means for Venga
Since day one, we’ve pursued a compliance-first approach. This is why we obtained the VASP license from the Bank of Spain before even launching our app, and this is one of the reasons why securing the Markets in Crypto-Assets License was paramount for us.
Moreover, this license is an important recognition and validation of our work, of our commitment, and of the platform we’ve been building.
“Obtaining the MiCA license is a major milestone for Venga and the result of nearly two years of work across every area of the business” as Michael puts it.
Now holding the MiCA license, we’re officially allowed to operate as a regulated Crypto-Asset Service Provider in the whole European Union and expand our activities across its 27 member states.
Besides the compliance and expansion side of things, MiCA brings a trustworthy stamp for our users, highlighting that they’re using a platform operating under one of the world’s most strict and secure crypto regulatory frameworks.
As Ana Carolina says:
“Crypto has officially entered the world of the big players. Getting this license removes the uncertainty of unregulated markets, allowing users to move past the fear of entry knowing their funds are supervised and transparent.”
To sum it up, MiCA raises the standards for the entire industry, and we meet them!
How We Made It Possible
Getting here has been a full journey for us. In Michael’s own words:
“Preparing for MiCA required substantial investment in governance, compliance, security, reporting systems, and operational processes. The authorization confirms that we have built the company to operate within the regulatory framework that will define the future of crypto services in Europe.”
So yeah, every team and every Venga member contributed to this success, from engineering and product to compliance, legal and operations.
For our CTO, Raúl Arribas, it was one of the biggest technical challenges:
“Aligning our platform architecture with both MiCA and DORA regulations was an intense, high-stakes puzzle. Balancing regulatory precision with engineering velocity required immense focus. We proved that an agile, modern tech team can deliver the exact same operational resilience and security as a traditional tier-one bank, without sacrificing our creative edge.”
At the same time, getting MiCA compliant made us step up!
We strengthened our infrastructure, we improved our internal processes, and we built new systems to meet the high standards required by the regulation.
As Ana Carolina tells:
“This process made the company significantly more mature. Everything we do now needs to be auditable. This wasn’t just a legal exercise; it revealed our true resilience. We are now bridging the gap between innovation and stability, combining the security of traditional finance with the innovation that crypto services offer.”
On a technical perspective, Raúl adds:
"As someone who has led fintech products for years, I know that robust architecture is the bedrock of any sustainable product. The MiCA framework didn't slow us down; it actually elevated our entire engineering DNA.”
Securing our MiCA license is a major milestone for all of us, that’s for sure, but it’s only a big step of our journey.
Looking Ahead
The European Union’s crypto industry is entering a new era. One with new opportunities for companies that build for the long term, one with less doubtable players in the market, one with more security for the investors.
As the first Catalan crypto investment platform to secure a MiCA license, we’re proud to be part of this new era, proud to play a role in the future of finance in Europe, and proud to keep going further with Venga.
Our mission remains the same as it was on day one: making crypto investment more simple, secure and accessible for everyone. And to reach that goal, we still have a lot of work to do, and we’re more ready than ever.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Interacting with blockchain, crypto assets, and Web3 applications involves risks, including the potential loss of funds. Venga encourages readers to conduct thorough research and understand the risks before engaging with any crypto assets or blockchain technologies. For more details, please refer to our terms of service.