Bitget has appointed former Bitpanda legal chief Oliver Stauber to lead the build-out of a MiCA-focused hub in Vienna, as the exchange targets Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) authorization in Austria by mid-2026. The firm plans to serve European users through a broker-led model with stricter asset listing standards.
Vienna hub led by Oliver Stauber
The exchange is establishing a regulatory and compliance center in Vienna under the leadership of Oliver Stauber, formerly head of legal at Bitpanda. The move is designed to align Bitget’s European operations with MiCA requirements and prepare for passportable authorization across the European Union.
MiCA timeline and Austria licensing
Bitget EU expects to secure MiCA approval in Austria by mid-2026. Under MiCA, crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) are authorized by a national competent authority—such as Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA)—and can then “passport” those permissions across the EU. While parts of MiCA have already taken effect, member states may allow transitional periods for CASPs into 2026 as firms shift from national regimes to full MiCA compliance.
Broker-led model and asset standards
To meet European regulatory expectations, Bitget plans a broker-led approach with tighter standards for asset listings. The strategy emphasizes curated access to digital assets, stronger compliance controls, and enhanced investor safeguards in line with MiCA’s consumer protection and market integrity objectives.
Why it matters
MiCA is the EU’s comprehensive framework for crypto markets, harmonizing licensing, conduct, and disclosure rules across member states. Establishing a MiCA-ready hub in Vienna positions Bitget to operate under a unified European rulebook and expand services to EU users once authorization is granted.