Coinbase UK License Marks Major Step Toward Bringing 'Everything Exchange' to Life
Coinbase announced it has obtained UK authorization under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) framework, enabling the crypto exchange to offer investment services including equities and derivatives. The license, issued by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), allows Coinbase to expand beyond crypto services and provide a broader range of financial instruments under a unified platform.
The authorization complements Coinbase’s existing UK approvals, including its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license and crypto registration. The company stated that this combination makes it the most comprehensively regulated crypto player in the market, unlocking the largest expansion of its UK product suite since entering the market.
Coinbase is positioning the UK as an early test case for its “Everything Exchange” strategy, which aims to consolidate banking, brokerage, savings, and crypto services into a single login. The company noted that UK investors currently juggle multiple apps and accounts, and believes this model is ending. Future plans include offering stablecoin payments, savings, borrowing, crypto, derivatives, equities, and tokenised real-world assets on the platform.
FCA research indicates that approximately 7 million UK adults already hold crypto, and a quarter of non-holders would be more likely to participate if the sector were properly regulated. The UK’s full crypto regime is expected to take effect by October 2027, giving Coinbase time to expand its offerings before then.
Beyond the MiFID license, Coinbase holds a virtual asset service provider (VASP) registration granted in February 2025 for crypto-to-crypto and fiat-to-crypto services, and an EMI license through its subsidiary CB Payments Ltd. for digital fiat payments and faster deposits and withdrawals.
The long-term impact of this authorization will depend on execution, adoption rates, and the final regulatory framework in the UK.