TL;DR:
- Kraken and MEXC announced a partnership allowing the Dutch exchange to redirect its spot and derivatives clients to Kraken’s platform.
- Kraken holds MiCA authorization since June 2025, a MiFID license from CySEC, and an electronic money authorization from the Central Bank of Ireland
- Migrating users will gain access to over 600 crypto assets, tokenized stocks, and perpetual futures, with EUR fiat rails.
Kraken and MEXC formalized a partnership under which the latter will redirect its Netherlands-based users to the former’s platform, covering both spot market and derivatives clients. The agreement responds to MEXC’s decision to discontinue its offering in the Dutch market as part of a reconfiguration of its regional strategy in Europe.
According to statements from both companies, the process is designed to minimize disruption for affected users. Both Kraken and MEXC will provide referral and transition support during the migration period, with the goal of ensuring an orderly handover.
Kraken Stands Out for its Regulatory Standing in Europe
The exchange obtained authorization under the MiCA framework through the Central Bank of Ireland in June 2025, along with a MiFID authorization from CySEC for derivatives operations and an electronic money license also issued by the Central Bank of Ireland. This combination makes it one of the platforms with the broadest regulatory presence on the continent, and among the few simultaneously authorized under both MiCA and MiFID in the European Economic Area.
Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken and Payward, stated that “markets are consolidating toward fewer venues that do more,” and argued that the company built Payward anticipating this dynamic: a multi-product, multi-asset group with electronic money licenses, MiCA authorization, and MiFID. He added that clients who choose the platform will gain access to over 600 crypto assets, tokenized stocks, and perpetual futures, with EUR rails and a Proof of Reserves independently verified each quarter.
For his part, Robert MacDonald, Chief Compliance Officer of MEXC, noted that the priority during the transition is to ensure that affected users have a clear and orderly process, and that the partnership offers eligible clients in the Netherlands a quality alternative while the exchange adjusts its availability in that market.
