Bitcoin Suisse has expanded its crypto services to Portugal through an authorized Liechtenstein unit, giving eligible clients access to trading, custody and staking under Europe’s cross-border rules.
In its Oct. 20 announcement, Bitcoin Suisse identified its Liechtenstein unit, Bitcoin Suisse (Europe) AG, as the service provider. It appointed Portugal general managers Rafaella Orelli and Alexander Spann to build relationships in the country with companies, institutional investors, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.
The Financial Market Authority Liechtenstein (FMA) authorized the unit as a crypto-asset service provider on June 22. Its permissions cover custody and transfers, exchanges between crypto assets or between crypto assets and money, and the execution, reception and transmission of client orders.
Staking is included in the company’s Portugal offering, although the FMA does not list it as a separate permitted service. European Commission guidance published by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) treats staking as ancillary to authorized custody.
Under Article 65 of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), providers planning to serve another country must notify their home regulator of the destination, the services they intend to provide and the planned start date. The rule provides a route for authorized firms to operate across borders.
Bitcoin Suisse introduced trading, custody and staking for eligible clients in Germany on July 14. The company presents its Portugal expansion as a response to demand from investors it says are underserved by retail platforms and traditional banks.
ESMA guidance also limits how providers may use client holdings for staking: they cannot stake those assets for their own account, even with client consent. Clients and providers may agree on how to divide staking proceeds.
