European financial institutions break through: German subsidiary obtains MiCAR certification, ushering in a new era for on-chain derivatives trading

2026-01-04 18:42:50

Abstract generation in progress

Recently, there have been reports that Hauck Aufhäuser Digital Custody, a German digital asset custody company under the Dutch bank, has successfully obtained official authorization under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), which means the institution is now qualified to legally provide digital asset custody and trading services across Europe.

The Deeper Significance of Regulatory Breakthrough

MiCAR authorization is not just a license on paper; it represents formal recognition by European financial regulators of the crypto asset industry. With this license, Hauck Aufhäuser Digital Custody can offer cryptocurrency custody solutions to European clients within a strict compliance framework, reflecting the ongoing deepening of traditional financial institutions’ involvement in the digital asset space.

Practical Application of Technological Innovation

More noteworthy is the joint innovation project between the Dutch bank and the German central bank. The two successfully executed the first international over-the-counter (OTC) smart derivatives transaction, with a ten-day trading cycle. The key highlight of this transaction is the full application of distributed ledger technology, enabling on-chain settlement and collateral management.

Compared to traditional OTC trading models, the on-chain automated process significantly reduces intermediary steps, allowing transaction data and collateral to be dynamically synchronized in real-time, greatly enhancing the transparency and execution efficiency of the entire trading system.

Industry Insights

This case demonstrates a deep integration path between traditional financial institutions and blockchain technology—retaining the professionalism and complexity of financial derivatives trading while optimizing settlement processes through the features of distributed ledgers. As more financial institutions obtain MiCAR authorization, similar on-chain applications are expected to become a new paradigm for digital finance in Europe.

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.