Dutch startup Blockrise has marked a regulatory milestone by obtaining its license under the MiCA framework, allowing it to deploy financial services for Bitcoin-backed loans across Europe. This breakthrough, confirmed on Wednesday, positions the firm to legally operate in asset custody and trading. Jos Lazet, CEO of Blockrise, highlighted that, although current regulations have limits, this approval is the fundamental basis for offering secure credit solutions to corporate clients.
Starting this Tuesday, the company has enabled a new credit line designed exclusively for the business sector, with starting amounts from 20,000 euros ($23,150). Clients can use their BTC holdings as direct collateral, accessing an initial interest rate of 8% that will be reviewed monthly according to market conditions. Lazet explained that this product allows companies to obtain immediate liquidity without needing to sell their strategic digital assets.
The MiCA regulation, fully expected by late 2024, strictly supervises crypto-asset issuance and trading but leaves out areas like lending and decentralized finance. On the other hand, Blockrise has structured its services to comply with current restrictions, limiting the credit offer solely to companies and not individual consumers. This proactive compliance strategy demonstrates how businesses can innovate within existing legal gaps while awaiting greater regulatory clarity.
What regulatory gaps persist in the new European financial framework?
Obtaining this license not only validates Blockrise’s operational structure but also reinforces confidence in its “semi-custodial wallet” model. Unlike pure self-custody, this system uses hardware security modules where both the user and the platform must sign to authorize any transaction. Currently, the firm manages approximately 100 million euros in client assets, underscoring the growing institutional demand for Bitcoin-backed loans services under a supervised and transparent environment.
The ability to offer credits using crypto-assets as collateral under a recognized license could transform treasury management for many European businesses. While institutional money flow into the crypto sector has been cautious, the legal certainty offered by the MiCA license could significantly accelerate adoption. By eliminating regulatory uncertainty, the door opens for more traditional players to consider these financial instruments as a viable and efficient alternative to conventional banking.
