BaFin Rejects Bitcoin Group’s Crypto License Application

Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has turned down an application from futurum bank AG, a subsidiary of Bitcoin Group SE, for a crypto-asset service provider license under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). The rejection poses a new regulatory challenge for Bitcoin Group’s bitcoin.de platform.

The bank submitted its application in June 2025, but BaFin denied it. Bitcoin Group stated that both futurum bank AG and the parent company are reviewing the decision and can file an objection within one month after receiving formal notification. The bank may also reapply for a MiCAR license in the future.

Since June 12, 2026, crypto trading on bitcoin.de has been largely unavailable as the licensing process continued. In response, Bitcoin Group is developing an alternative operating model. This model would involve one regulated German institution acting as the trading counterparty and another as the custodian. The goal is to restore trading through bitcoin.de using this partner-based approach.