Why Is Coinbase Stock Trading Higher Thursday?

Coinbase Global, Inc COIN stock is trading higher Thursday after the cryptocurrency exchange bagged registration from France's AMF watchdog as a virtual asset service provider (VASP), marking a significant expansion into the European market. 

This approval enables Coinbase to offer various digital currency services in France, including custody of digital assets, buying or selling in legal tender, trading of digital assets, and operating a trading platform, CNBC reports.

The move comes as European regulators, including those in France, adapt to the evolving crypto and blockchain technologies.

Also Read: Coinbase's India Sign-up Saga: Regulatory Challenges and Commitment Amidst User Suspension

They aim to balance the potential benefits of payment systems and trading while protecting consumers.

This development aligns with the European Union's efforts to implement the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation, seeking a unified framework for crypto companies to operate within the EU. 

Once MiCA is in place, crypto companies can use a VASP license from one EU country to offer services across the bloc.

Coinbase's expansion into Europe is timely, considering the increasingly uncertain regulatory environment in the U.S., where regulators have taken stringent actions against crypto companies. 

The U.S. SEC has been particularly aggressive, targeting companies like Coinbase and Binance with enforcement actions and lawsuits for alleged illegal securities dealings.

Coinbase has responded to the SEC's actions, advocating for specific crypto regulations in the U.S. to avoid what it terms "regulation by enforcement."

Meanwhile, France is positioning itself as a tech leader, with President Emmanuel Macron's "France 2030" plan investing heavily in technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and Web3. 

The country, which hosts major crypto players like Ledger, Circle, Binance, and Crypto.com, is witnessing growing crypto adoption, with a significant percentage of French adults owning or planning to engage in crypto transactions.

Price Action: COIN shares traded higher by 1.20% at $163.80 on the last check Thursday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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