Blockchain.com has been granted a virtual asset service provider (VASP) license by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), allowing the firm to operate regulated crypto custody and exchange services in the territory. The licence, issued on 22 July 2026, follows conditional approval in December 2025 and builds on a VASP registration held since May 2022.
The licence permits the company to provide crypto-to-fiat, crypto-to-crypto exchange services, and custodial solutions within the Cayman Islands. This follows a period of regulatory review, during which CIMA required Blockchain.com to meet specific compliance criteria. The firm has previously operated under a VASP registration since 2022, though this new licence expands its authorised activities.
Lane Kasselman, co-CEO of Blockchain.com, said the approval “strengthens our ability to serve customers across the region” and underscores the firm’s commitment to regulatory standards. The move aligns with broader efforts to establish clear frameworks for crypto services, including Blockchain.com’s existing licence under the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
CIMA’s decision reflects growing global momentum to formalise oversight of digital asset firms. The Cayman Islands have positioned themselves as a jurisdiction offering robust regulatory pathways for crypto businesses, alongside existing registrations with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Blockchain.com’s expanded operations may influence similar regulatory applications in other offshore financial centres.
Written by Steven Cook
Regulation Desk
