Bullish Group, one of the providers of digital asset market infrastructure and information services, announced that its German digital asset trading business received crypto-asset custody, proprietary trading, and principal brokerage licenses from the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) on December 20, 2024.
This development reportedly marks a significant step in strengthening Bullish’s position within the European Union.
Tom Farley, Bullish CEO said:
“Germany’s position as a leading financial hub and its rapidly growing digital asset market present a significant opportunity. We are excited to bring our trusted capabilities to this dynamic market, providing institutions and professional investors with a secure, regulated environment for digital asset trading.”
Bullish DE’s launch in Germany positions the business to expand its services across the European Economic Area under “the MiCA regulatory framework that came into full effect in the European Union on December 30, 2024, subject to regulatory approval.”
To lead Bullish DE’s business in Germany, the company has appointed Marco Bodewein as Managing Director.
Bodewein brings experience in financial services and digital assets, having previously served as “a Member of the Management Board at futurum bank AG, a BaFin-regulated financial services institution specializing in crypto trading and custody.”
Additionally, he was the CEO of Bitcoin Group SE, an investment holding company that engages in “cryptocurrency and blockchain businesses worldwide.”
With expertise in working with regulatory authorities, balance sheet management, and a background in digital technologies like DLT and crypto, Bodewein is said to be well-positioned “to lead Bullish DE. He also brings a wealth of experience in merger integration and implementation-oriented strategic planning.”
Bodewein remarked:
“Having previously led a BaFin-regulated institution within the digital assets space, I understand the local market’s potential and the need for a secure, trusted partner like Bullish DE. We hope that as digital assets continue to gain traction in Germany, Bullish DE’s advanced offering will empower investors with the tools they need to trade with confidence. This is an exciting time for the market, and I look forward to building relationships with local stakeholders and partners.”
tradias, a BaFin-licensed trading house for cryptocurrencies and digital asset services, has been “onboarded by Bullish DE and begun executing trades.”
tradias serves a diverse clientele, including “traditional banks, neobrokers, FinTech companies, established corporations, asset managers, family offices, and public sector entities.”
Christopher Beck, Founder of tradias said:
This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering secure and seamless trading experiences for a diverse clientele in Germany and beyond.”
As covered, The Bullish Group has built an ecosystem focused “on developing financial services for the digital assets sector through technology and investment businesses.”
These include: Bullish Exchange – digital asset spot and derivatives trading services that utilize high-performance central limit order matching and proprietary market making technology “to deliver deep liquidity and tight spreads within a compliant framework.”
The business is reportedly licensed by BaFin and the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission.
Bullish Capital – an investment company which offers strategic capital, industry expertise and a network of resources to support initiatives that connect “conventional finance with the possibilities of the digital economy.”