Bitpanda CEO says MiCA boosts user trust in regulated crypto platforms

MiCA boosts user trust — The co-CEO of European crypto exchange Bitpanda says the region’s landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation has increased user trust in licensed firms, while calling for stricter enforcement against noncompliant operators.

Speaking on Cointelegraph’s Chain Reaction, Christian Trummer stated that most users now have “more faith” in regulated market participants following MiCA’s rollout. He contrasted this with what he described as a “Crypto Twitter” bubble focused on self-custody, arguing the majority of users prefer regulated providers over managing their own private keys.

Trummer also highlighted a competitive issue, noting that some companies continue serving European customers without complying with MiCA. He attributed this to a lack of strict enforcement by regulators, which he said puts compliant firms at a disadvantage.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has previously called for stronger supervisory powers to tackle unauthorized crypto services. MiCA’s grandfathering period for existing providers ended no later than July 1, 2026, with ESMA directing national regulators to act against firms operating without authorization after their transition period.