Blockchain.com has obtained a definitive Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) custody services licence from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) through its Cayman Islands subsidiary, adding to a series of regulatory milestones achieved over the past 12 months.

CAMANA BAY, Cayman Islands, Aug. 6, 2026 — The licence transitions Blockchain.com's operations in the jurisdiction from conditional to definitive regulatory status. CIMA had granted conditional approval of the company's licensing application in December 2025. As of 22 July 2026, all conditions for approval were satisfied, and the company is now duly licensed by CIMA to provide virtual asset custody services.

The Cayman Islands has been developing its virtual asset regulatory framework in alignment with FATF standards, positioning itself as one of several offshore financial centers competing to attract licensed digital asset businesses. CIMA's VASP regime, established under the Virtual Asset (Service Providers) Act, requires applicants to demonstrate compliance across areas including AML, consumer protection, and operational resilience.

Prior to receiving the full licence, Blockchain.com had held a VASP registration with CIMA since May 2022.

In addition to custody services, the company has been approved to provide two further virtual asset services: exchange between virtual assets and fiat currencies, and exchange between one or more forms of convertible virtual assets.

Building on MiCA and FCA Approvals

The CIMA licence follows two other significant regulatory achievements for Blockchain.com within the past year: obtaining its MiCA licence in Europe and securing FCA registration in the United Kingdom. The EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, fully effective since December 2024, established the first comprehensive pan-European crypto framework, while the FCA's cryptoasset registration regime is widely regarded as one of the more stringent among major financial centers.

"Our VASP custody services licence builds on the regulatory momentum we've established with our recent MiCA and FCA approvals," said Lane Kasselman, Co-CEO at Blockchain.com. "We believe strong regulation is essential to the long-term development of digital assets, and these approvals further strengthen our ability to serve customers across the region."

The three approvals collectively position Blockchain.com within an increasingly fragmented global regulatory landscape, where major crypto firms including Coinbase, Kraken, and Gemini have similarly pursued multi-jurisdictional licensing strategies to operate across distinct national regimes.

The CIMA licence enables a suite of regulated services, including:

• Institutional Custody: Enterprise-grade, highly secure storage solutions designed for institutional digital asset management.
• Institutional Staking: Professional infrastructure allowing organizations to participate in network consensus and earn yield.
• Retail Staking: Accessible staking for retail users, enabling yield generation within a fully compliant environment.

Local Engagement and Expansion

Blockchain.com is also expanding its physical presence in the Cayman Islands. In June, the company partnered with TechCayman, described as the premier facilitator for global technology companies establishing operations in the region. Through this collaboration, Blockchain.com plans to welcome its first on-island hire to support its growing operations and the local ecosystem.

TechCayman is providing the sponsorship framework, operational support, and local network to facilitate Blockchain.com's integration into the island's technology community.

Company Background

Since its inception in 2011, Blockchain.com has facilitated more than $1.1 trillion in crypto transactions. The company reports over 94 million wallets created, 43 million verified users, and operations across more than 70 jurisdictions. Blockchain.com offers secure self-custody, institutional services, and a product suite aligned with global regulation and privacy standards.

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