Blockchain.com has been granted a definitive Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) custody services license by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) through its Cayman Islands subsidiary, marking a significant regulatory milestone that transitions the cryptocurrency firm from conditional authorization to fully licensed status in the jurisdiction.

From Conditional Approval to Full License

The definitive license follows CIMA's initial conditional approval granted in December 2025. Blockchain.com confirmed that all regulatory conditions were satisfied by July 22, 2026, leading to the issuance of the permanent VASP license. Prior to this, the company had operated under a VASP registration in the Cayman Islands since May 2022.

The Cayman Islands has emerged as one of the more active jurisdictions for digital asset regulation, with CIMA implementing a structured licensing framework that requires applicants to demonstrate compliance across anti-money laundering (AML), know-your-customer (KYC), cybersecurity, and operational resilience standards. The territory's regulatory regime aligns with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidance on VASPs, which has become a benchmark for jurisdictions worldwide seeking to oversee virtual asset businesses.

This latest regulatory achievement adds to a series of approvals secured over the past year, including a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in Europe and registration with the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The company stated that these approvals reinforce its capacity to deliver compliant services while supporting long-term growth across the digital asset industry. The multi-jurisdictional approach reflects a broader trend among major cryptocurrency firms, which have increasingly pursued licensing across several regulatory regimes as governments worldwide tighten oversight of digital asset markets.

Lane Kasselman, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Blockchain.com, said the Cayman Islands license builds on the company's recent regulatory momentum. He emphasized that the organization considers robust regulation a critical foundation for the sustainable development of digital assets and that the latest approvals enhance its ability to serve customers across multiple regions.

Expanded Service Portfolio

The CIMA license authorizes Blockchain.com to offer a broader range of regulated virtual asset services, including:

• Institutional custody — an enterprise-grade security platform for organizations managing digital assets.
• Institutional staking — enabling enterprises to participate in blockchain network validation while earning staking rewards.
• Retail staking — compliant staking services offering retail users opportunities to earn yield within a regulated framework.
• Virtual asset exchange services — facilitating exchanges between virtual assets and fiat currencies, as well as exchanges involving multiple forms of convertible virtual assets.

These capabilities significantly expand the company's regulated operational scope in the Cayman Islands. The inclusion of regulated staking services is notable, as staking products have drawn heightened scrutiny from regulators in the United States and elsewhere, making jurisdictions with explicit licensing frameworks increasingly relevant for firms offering yield-generating digital asset products.

Deepening Cayman Islands Presence

Alongside its regulatory expansion, Blockchain.com is strengthening its regional footprint through a partnership with TechCayman, an organization that assists international technology companies in establishing operations in the jurisdiction. The collaboration includes plans to hire the company's first Cayman Islands–based employee, with TechCayman providing operational support, sponsorship, and access to the local technology ecosystem to support Blockchain.com's long-term regional presence.

The company described the initiative as a reflection of its commitment to supporting the local technology community while building infrastructure for future growth.

Company Background and Compliance Strategy

Founded in 2011, Blockchain.com reports that it has supported more than 94 million cryptocurrency wallets, serves over 43 million verified users, and has facilitated more than $1.1 trillion in cryptocurrency transactions. Operating across more than 70 jurisdictions, the company offers self-custody products, institutional solutions, and additional digital asset services aligned with evolving global regulatory and privacy standards.

The transition to fully licensed status represents an important step in Blockchain.com's regulatory strategy, positioning its Cayman Islands operations within one of the world's leading international financial centers while supporting broader institutional and retail adoption of regulated digital asset services. The company's progressive licensing across CIMA, MiCA, and FCA regimes provides a roadmap for observing how cross-jurisdictional compliance frameworks shape the next phase of institutional digital asset adoption.