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TL;DR
- Uphold isn’t listed among the roughly 244 exchanges authorized under MiCA as of the July 1, 2026 register sync.
- Like Bitfinex, Uphold hasn’t made a public statement about its EU plans, so this is an absence from the register rather than a confirmed denial or exit.
- The picks below cover MiCA-licensed exchanges for EU users who want Uphold’s anything-to-anything simplicity with a regulatory backstop, plus each pick’s real fees and features.
Uphold’s pitch was always simplicity, swap between crypto, stocks, and metals from one account without thinking too hard about it. That’s a harder sell without a MiCA license behind it. As of the July 1, 2026 CASP register sync, Uphold doesn’t appear among the roughly 244 authorized exchanges, and there’s no public statement explaining an application or an exit plan.
For EU users, the practical result is the same regardless of the reason: no compliant path to keep using Uphold for new activity right now.
7 Best Uphold Alternatives
| Exchange | Best for | MiCA licensed? | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitpanda | Crypto plus stocks, ETFs, and metals | Yes — 3 licenses (Austria, Germany, Malta) | Trade → |
| Kraken | Broad access, strong security record | Yes — Ireland, 30 EEA states | Trade → |
| Coinbase | Simplicity, beginner-friendly | Yes — Luxembourg, 27 EU states | Trade → |
| Bitvavo | EU users trading mainly in euros | Yes — Netherlands, EU/EEA-wide | Trade → |
| Gemini | US and EU users wanting two regulatory tracks | Yes — Malta, 30+ jurisdictions | Trade → |
| Bitstamp | Long operating history, straightforward trading | Yes — Luxembourg, 29 EU/EEA states | Trade → |
| OKX | Wider asset selection | Yes — Malta, 29 EU/EEA states | Trade → |
1. Bitpanda — Closest Match on Asset Range
Bitpanda is the best direct replacement for Uphold’s anything-to-anything pitch. It bundles crypto, real stocks and ETFs, and precious metals into one account, backed by three separate MiCA licenses, more than any other exchange in Europe.
Standard crypto fees run 1.49% (0.25% on the Fusion pro exchange), covering 650+ cryptocurrencies alongside 10,000+ stocks and ETFs, a broader multi-asset spread than Uphold ever offered.
2. Kraken — Best Overall
Kraken doesn’t match Uphold’s asset variety, but it’s the most established, security-focused MiCA-licensed exchange, with the widest passporting coverage of any exchange on this list.
Fees start at 0.25% maker/0.40% taker and drop to 0.00%/0.05% at high volume, across 640+ assets, with staking yields up to 21% on select networks.
3. Coinbase — Best for Simplicity
Coinbase keeps the beginner-friendly interface Uphold users are used to, with a full MiCA license out of Luxembourg covering all 27 EU states.
Fees run 0.00%–0.40% maker/0.04%–0.60% taker across 375+ assets, and Coinbase One ($4.99/month) waives fees up to $10,000 in monthly volume for a flat subscription price.
4. Bitvavo — Best for Euro Traders
Bitvavo is a narrower, spot-only platform compared to Uphold, but it’s MiCA-licensed and cheap to fund in euros for straightforward trading.
Base fees are 0.15% maker/0.25% taker across 390+ coins, and the account carries a €100,000 guarantee against unauthorized activity.
5. Gemini — Best for Two Regulatory Tracks
Gemini holds both a MiCA CASP license and a separate MiFID II license, giving it derivatives access alongside standard spot trading.
ActiveTrader fees range from -0.01% to 0.20% maker and 0.03% to 0.40% taker, across a smaller 70+ coin list, with staking on ETH, SOL, and MON up to 12%.
6. Bitstamp — Best for a Long Track Record
Bitstamp has operated since 2011 without a major security incident and is now MiCA-licensed through Luxembourg’s CSSF.
Fees range from 0.30% maker/0.40% taker down to 0.00%/0.03% at high volume, across 130+ coins, with 95% of assets held in cold storage.
7. OKX — Best for a Wider Asset Selection
OKX offers a broader crypto selection than Uphold, along with derivatives, under one of the most complete MiCA licenses available.
Spot fees are a flat 0.08% maker/0.10% taker across 350+ coins and 500+ pairs, with derivatives as low as 0.02%/0.05% and up to 125x leverage.
Uphold vs the Top 3 Alternatives
Uphold’s draw was trading crypto, metals, and equities from one account. Here is how the licensed alternatives compare on breadth and cost.
| Feature | Uphold | Bitpanda | Kraken | Coinbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MiCA licensed | Not listed | Yes, 3 licenses | Yes, Ireland | Yes, Luxembourg |
| Fee model | Spread ~0.8–1.2% | 1.49% (0.25% Fusion) | 0.25% / 0.40% | 0.00% – 0.60% |
| Assets beyond crypto | Metals, equities, fiat | Stocks, ETFs, metals | Crypto only | Crypto only |
| Coins | 260+ | 650+ | 640+ | 375+ |
| Founded | 2015 | 2014 | 2011 | 2012 |
Bitpanda is the one true multi-asset match, crypto plus stocks, ETFs, and metals under one MiCA-licensed roof. Kraken and Coinbase are cheaper for pure crypto.
What Uphold’s Absence From the Register Means
✅ What we know
- Uphold doesn’t appear among the roughly 244 authorized CASPs as of July 1, 2026.
- No public regulator warning has been issued against Uphold specifically.
- No confirmed exit or license-denial statement has been made public either.
❌ What that means practically
- Without a license, EU users have no legal, compliant way to keep using Uphold for new activity.
- An absence of bad news isn’t proof of good standing, it may just be an unresolved application.
- There’s no public timeline for resolution.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uphold MiCA licensed?
No. Uphold doesn’t appear on the EU’s CASP register, which listed roughly 244 authorized exchanges as of the July 1, 2026 sync.
Has Uphold said anything about leaving the EU?
No public statement has been made about a MiCA application, denial, or exit plan, similar to Bitfinex’s situation.
What’s the closest exchange to Uphold for multi-asset trading?
Bitpanda is the closest match, combining crypto, stocks, ETFs, and precious metals in one MiCA-licensed account.
Does this affect Uphold users outside the EU?
No. MiCA only governs the EU/EEA. Users elsewhere aren’t affected and should evaluate Uphold on its own separate merits.
Could Uphold still get a MiCA license?
It’s possible, there’s no public information ruling it out. But with no visible application as of the deadline, there’s no indication of timing.
The Bottom Line
Uphold’s absence from the MiCA register is quiet rather than dramatic, but it leaves EU users without a compliant option today. Bitpanda is the closest match on breadth of assets, Kraken and Coinbase are the safest general picks on fees and track record, and it’s worth checking the CASP register again if Uphold’s status changes.
Editorial note: exchange licensing status reflects information available through July 1, 2026 and can change quickly. Confirm current status before moving funds. Nothing here is financial advice.
Related Reading
- Top 10 MiCA-Licensed Crypto Exchanges (the full regulatory picture)
- Bitfinex Alternatives (another exchange absent from the CASP register)
- Uphold Review (fees and features, for context)
- Best Crypto Exchanges (our full ranking, tested with real funds)
