Crypto exchange Bitget is stepping up its European ambitions by appointing Oliver Stauber as CEO of Bitget EU and setting Vienna, Austria, as its new European headquarters. The move comes as the company prepares to operate under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), the bloc’s landmark crypto rulebook.
According to a company announcement, Bitget’s Vienna office will act as its central hub for the European Union, overseeing compliance, governance, and engagement with regulators across the European Economic Area (EEA). The exchange says the new base will play a key role in aligning its operations with MiCA requirements as deadlines approach.
Stauber brings deep experience in European crypto regulation and financial services leadership. Before joining Bitget, he served as Managing Director and CEO of KuCoin EU Holding GmbH, based in Vienna. He also held senior roles at Bitpanda, including Chief Legal Officer, where he was responsible for legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. That background places him among a small group of executives with hands-on experience navigating Europe’s complex crypto licensing landscape.
Bitget CEO Gracy Chen said Stauber’s appointment strengthens the company’s long-term commitment to Europe. She noted that his understanding of regulatory frameworks and operational governance will be critical as Bitget builds a compliant and transparent presence in the region. According to Chen, the goal is to establish a strong governance-first approach that meets MiCA standards while supporting future growth.
MiCA, which introduces a unified regulatory framework for digital asset services across the EU, is reshaping how crypto companies operate in Europe. The regulation places greater emphasis on risk management, disclosure requirements, and internal controls. Firms offering crypto services in the region must meet these standards to continue operating legally across member states.
Stauber echoed this shift in expectations, saying MiCA is fundamentally changing how digital asset providers are governed in Europe. He emphasized that Bitget’s Vienna headquarters will focus on building a regulated and scalable structure designed to serve EEA users reliably. According to Stauber, the aim is not just compliance, but creating a sustainable setup that supports the future of digital finance in Europe.
Bitget said its broader European strategy will focus on regulatory readiness, strong compliance foundations, and transparent operations. Establishing a physical headquarters in Vienna is seen as a key step in coordinating supervisory engagement and internal controls across the region.
The move comes amid a wider push by crypto firms to secure regulatory approval under MiCA. Last week, Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, confirmed it had submitted an application for a MiCA license in Greece. With the transitional period set to expire in June 2026, companies across Europe are racing to meet the new requirements and lock in their ability to operate under the EU’s unified crypto framework.
As MiCA deadlines draw closer, Bitget’s Vienna expansion signals its intent to be a long-term, compliant player in the European crypto market.
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