Bitcoin.de Pivots After MiCA License Rejection by German Regulator

Bitcoin.de is exploring a new operational model after Germany’s financial regulator, BaFin, rejected futurum bank AG’s application for authorization under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) rules. The decision has forced the platform to halt most trading activities since June 12, 2026, and now Bitcoin Group SE is looking to partner with regulated German companies to resume services.

Futurum bank, a subsidiary of Bitcoin Group, received the rejection on October 6, 2026, after a licensing process that lasted over 15 months. BaFin deemed the bank’s implementation and operational readiness insufficient for authorization. Bitcoin Group plans to object within one month after formal notification or submit a new application later. CEO Moritz Eckert called the decision "a setback for us" and said the company disagrees with BaFin’s assessment.

To restart trading, Bitcoin.de will rely on regulated partners for trading and custody services. One partner will act as the trading counterparty, while another will hold customer crypto assets. The company aims to restore trading through the rebuilt Bitcoin.de app "within the next few weeks," though no firm reopening date has been set. This new model marks a shift from the original plan, where futurum bank was expected to run the platform itself after obtaining MiCA authorization.

The MiCA rejection has delayed the platform’s overhaul, which had been in the works since 2025. Bitcoin.de had planned to offer over 100 cryptocurrencies, crypto swaps, savings plans, and staking, but these plans were contingent on regulatory approval. The company reported €1.59 million in first-half revenue for 2026 and expects another negative EBITDA year, attributing the financial struggles to reduced trading activity and higher spending tied to the platform rebuild.