Dutch Bitcoin Asset Manager Blockrise obtains MiCAR license

Rotterdam, 26 November 2025 – Blockrise, a Dutch Bitcoin start-up, is now officially authorized to continue its financial services in the Netherlands and expand across Europe. The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has granted Blockrise a license under the new European MiCAR regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation). This marks a significant milestone in the institutionalization of Bitcoin and positions the Netherlands at the forefront of regulated Bitcoin financial services in Europe.

The MiCAR license enables Blockrise to provide its Bitcoin services throughout Europe under a single license, making Blockrise part of a select group of pioneers with access to the newly regulated Bitcoin market.

"This license is recognition that our Bitcoin services have matured. Institutional parties, corporate investors, and high-net-worth individuals want to allocate assets to Bitcoin, but only through regulated entities offering transparency, risk management, and security. Thanks to the MiCAR license, we can now expand into the European market," says Jos Lazet, CEO of Blockrise. Blockrise differentiates itself as a ‘Bitcoin-only’ platform, meaning no other cryptocurrencies are offered. While the company has long focused on Bitcoin, it recently decided to fully commit to this strategy. “Choosing Bitcoin-only was logical given its market dominance and lower volatility. It also simplifies our proposition for clients.”

Expansion into Credit Services

The granting of the MiCAR license puts pressure on traditional financial institutions to reconsider their Bitcoin-related offerings. Over the past year, demand for new Bitcoin-related services has surged, particularly for Bitcoin-backed loans—credit facilities secured by Bitcoin collateral.

Lazet: “Our clients asked if we could offer a service to provide liquidity using Bitcoin as collateral. Since this product fits our focus, we moved quickly and developed the solution entirely in-house.”

Starting this week, Blockrise will offer this new credit service to all its corporate clients, with business loans starting at €20,000. The market places strong emphasis on collateral security, and Blockrise stands out by ensuring that clients retain ownership of their pledged Bitcoin. This guarantees that the Bitcoin will not be rehypothecated to other parties. The service is fully compliant with MiCAR requirements.

Blockrise Launches €15 Million Investment Round

Earlier this year, Blockrise raised €2 million in seed funding from a consortium of venture capital firms and angel investors. This was the company’s first external funding round, aimed at fueling growth. With the MiCAR license now secured, Blockrise is preparing for its Series A round.

"At Blockrise, we are working hard to position ourselves as the leading Bitcoin-only platform in the European Union. To achieve this, we aim to raise €15 million from investors who share our vision for Bitcoin," Lazet adds.

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About Blockrise

Founded in 2017, Blockrise is a Bitcoin-only platform based in Rotterdam, offering services including custody, trading, asset management, inheritance planning, and Bitcoin-backed loans. The company serves high-net-worth individuals, corporate investors, and institutions. Since November 2025, Blockrise holds a MiCAR license issued by the AFM. Visit www.blockrise.com for more information.