Blockchain.com moves from conditional approval to full Cayman custody license

Blockchain.com has secured a definitive Virtual Asset Service Provider custody license from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. The approval, issued on July 22, 2026, expands the company’s regulated services in the jurisdiction to include digital-asset custody and exchange activity after it satisfied conditions imposed in December 2025.

Key takeaways

CIMA granted Blockchain.com a full VASP custody license on July 22, 2026.
The authorization covers custody, crypto-to-fiat and crypto-to-crypto exchange services.
The company has held a Cayman VASP registration since May 2022.
Blockchain.com also plans to strengthen its local presence through hiring and a TechCayman partnership.

What the Cayman license allows

The definitive license enables Blockchain.com’s Cayman Islands subsidiary to provide regulated custody services for digital assets. It also permits exchanges between virtual assets and fiat currencies as well as exchanges between one or more convertible virtual assets.

The company said the regulated framework supports institutional custody and staking infrastructure. It also identified retail staking as part of the services available to eligible users. The scope gives Blockchain.com a broader operating base in the Cayman Islands than its previous registration alone provided.

From conditional approval to definitive authorization

CIMA issued conditional approval in December 2025. Blockchain.com said it completed the regulator’s requirements before receiving the full license on July 22, 2026. The transition illustrates an important distinction in digital-asset regulation: conditional approval is not the same as final authorization.

For customers and institutional partners, that distinction makes transparency about licensing status especially important. Security and compliance are not simply launch requirements. They are ongoing operating responsibilities that shape how custody providers manage assets, controls and reporting.

Part of a broader regulatory strategy

The Cayman approval follows Blockchain.com’s recent regulatory progress in other markets. The company has obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation license in Europe and registered with the UK Financial Conduct Authority.

Co-CEO Lane Kasselman said the approvals reinforce the company’s ability to serve customers across the region. A multi-jurisdictional regulatory footprint can provide operational clarity, although each license remains subject to the rules and oversight of its specific authority.

Building a local Cayman presence

Blockchain.com is pairing the license with plans to establish a more permanent presence in the Cayman Islands. In June, it announced a partnership with TechCayman, which supports international technology companies operating in the territory.

Under the arrangement, TechCayman will provide sponsorship, operational support and access to its local business network. Blockchain.com said it plans to hire its first employee in the jurisdiction, moving beyond a registration-only presence.

Why the development matters

The approval reflects the crypto industry’s continuing shift toward regulated infrastructure. Custody, exchange controls and institutional staking require durable systems, clear disclosures and disciplined risk management. For users evaluating any platform, licensing is one factor to examine alongside security practices, custody arrangements, fee disclosures and operational resilience.

Bitval follows the same principle: strong infrastructure outlasts noise. Our exchange focuses on audited infrastructure, transparent fees and responsible risk management for users who value stability over speed. This article is informational only and not financial advice. Review the relevant regulatory terms and conduct your own research before using any crypto service.

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