# BaFin Rejects MiCA Application as Bitcoin.de Plans New Operating Model By Riza Dagoc Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/28308 Published: 2026-10-08T16:26:17.000Z Updated: 2026-10-08T16:26:17.000Z Section: Regulation > Bitcoin.de plans to resume trading through separate regulated German partners for trading and custody after its operator’s authorization application was rejected. Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) rejected futurum bank AG’s application to operate as a crypto-asset service provider under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, prompting Bitcoin.de to pursue a partner-based model for restarting trading. Futurum bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bitcoin Group SE and Bitcoin.de’s operator, submitted the application June 27, 2025. The licensing process lasted more than 15 months before the rejection announced Oct. 6. The decision ended BaFin’s previous tolerance of futurum bank’s crypto-asset services. Operational trading on Bitcoin.de has been largely suspended since June 12. Bitcoin.de plans to retain its platform and customer interface while assigning regulated functions to two German institutions. One partner would act as the trading counterparty and another would provide crypto custody. The partners have not been named. Futurum bank will continue holding customer assets until they are transferred to the alternative custodian. Customer claims remain intact, and no date has been set for the transfer of assets or the return of euro deposits. The renewed Bitcoin.de app could resume trading within the next few weeks, but the company has not announced a fixed relaunch date. The rebuilt platform was technically completed after functional and security testing. The planned product range includes more than 100 cryptocurrencies, savings plans, crypto swaps and dynamic staking. Bitcoin.de has more than 1.1 million registered users. Crypto-asset service providers in Germany generally require authorization under MiCA, and authorized firms may passport services across the European Union. The proposed structure would move authorization-dependent trading and custody functions to regulated partners while Bitcoin.de operates the platform. “BaFin’s decision is a setback for us,” Bitcoin Group CEO Moritz Eckert said. “We take a different view, but had prepared for the possibility of a refusal.” Bitcoin Group reported first-half 2026 revenue of €1.59 million and EBITDA of negative €3.25 million, with lower trading activity and spending on the platform overhaul contributing to the result. The company may file an objection within one month of formal notification. Bitcoin.de’s earlier suspension of trading was covered in [its pending MiCA authorization process](). ## Links in this article - [its pending MiCA authorization process](https://www.tokenpost.com/news/business/25433)