- After more than 15 months of regulatory review, BaFin denied Futurum Bank’s MiCAR authorization.
- For crypto trading and custody services, Bitcoin.de intends to work with licensed German partners.
- Assets will be moved to a different licensed custodian, but customer asset claims are unaffected.
Bitcoin.de is changing how it operates after BaFin, Germany’s regulator, rejected Futurum Bank AG’s application for a license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-assets Regulation or MiCAR.
More than 15 months after the review began, Bitcoin Group SE. The parent company of Futurum Bank. Announced on October 6 that BaFin had turned down the license request. The application had been submitted by Futurum Bank on June 27 2025. BaFin also made it clear that the previous permission allowing Futurum Bank to offer asset services would no longer be valid.
This move follows the fact that Bitcoin.de has been mostly shut down since June 12 2026.
Bitcoin.de Plans Regulated Trading & Custody Partners
Rather than waiting for Futurum Bank to secure its own MiCAR authorization, Bitcoin.de plans to work with regulated German institutions to restore its services.
Under the proposed structure, one regulated institution will act as the trading partner for Bitcoin.de customers, while another regulated company will provide crypto custody services.
Futurum Bank has not yet disclosed the companies it plans to work with. More information is expected through the Bitcoin.de website once the arrangements are finalized.
The partner-based model represents a major shift from the company’s earlier plan, which relied on Futurum Bank obtaining its own MiCAR authorization and directly operating the platform.
Futurum Bank said the new structure is designed to help customers return to trading through the renewed Bitcoin. de app as quickly as possible.
Customer Asset Claims Remain Intact
Bitcoin Group said BaFin’s decision does not affect customers’ claims over their assets.
Futurum Bank will continue to hold customer assets securely until they can be transferred to the alternative regulated custodian. The company said customers’ claims remain fully intact.
Bitcoin Group and Futurum Bank are reviewing the regulator’s decision and can lodge an objection within one month after receiving formal notification. Futurum Bank can also apply for authorization again in the future.
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