Can you use KuCoin in Italy? KuCoin EU, ESMA and the FMA (October 2026)

Short answer

KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH is authorised as a crypto-asset service provider by Austria’s FMA and lists Italy in its EU passport (ESMA register, checked 21 October 2026). But on 18 May 2026 the FMA said that “the commencement of business operations still remains inadmissible” for KuCoin EU. Italy is not on KuCoin’s global Restricted Locations list. That is why this page has no sign-up button.

Key facts at a glance

Fact	Source	Checked
KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH has an ESMA row (FMA, 27/11/2025) with IT among host states	ESMA	21 Oct 2026
FMA, 18 May 2026: commencement of business operations “still remains inadmissible”	FMA	21 Oct 2026
Italy is not listed in section 17(5) Restricted Locations, updated 29 Sep 2026	KuCoin Terms of Use	21 Oct 2026
From 1 July 2026 Italy’s MiCAR transitional period ends; providers authorised in other EU Member States may use the European passport	CONSOB	21 Oct 2026

KuCoin EU’s authorisation and Italy

The ESMA interim register has a row for KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH, supervised by the Austrian FMA, with the authorisation date 27 November 2025. The host-state field includes Italy, next to most other EU and EEA countries. A register row shows an authorisation and a passport. It does not show that the company has started serving clients.

What the FMA said on 18 May 2026

The FMA said it granted KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH an authorisation as a crypto-asset service provider on 27 November 2025, ordered a prohibition on conducting new business on 19 February 2026 and lifted it on 18 May 2026. It added: “the commencement of business operations still remains inadmissible due to an administrative decision dated 18.02.2026”, because not all conditions under supervisory law had yet been fully met, in particular governance requirements and the filling of additional key functions in the senior management. We quote the regulator and make no forecast.

Is Italy on KuCoin’s restricted list?

No. Section 17(5) of KuCoin’s Terms of Use (“Last updated: 09/29/2026”) lists, among others, the United States, Singapore, mainland China and Hong Kong, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ontario and British Columbia, France and the Netherlands. Italy is not named. Being absent from the list is not the same as being available, and KuCoin says it may update the list at its sole discretion.

What changed in Italy on 1 July 2026

CONSOB said on 30 June 2026 that as of 1 July the transitional period under MiCAR ends and that entities without authorisation must cease their activities. It added that providers authorised in other EU Member States may offer their services in all EU countries under the European passport regime. KuCoin EU’s passport is therefore relevant, but it does not change the FMA’s statement that business operations have not been allowed to start. Before using any crypto platform, check the provider in the ESMA interim register or on the CONSOB website.

Why there is no KuCoin button here

We show a sign-up link only where our evidence shows the exchange is available in the country. For Italy, the only KuCoin entity with an EU authorisation has not been allowed by its regulator to start operating, so there is no button, no code and no bonus on this page. This page is not legal or financial advice.

Authorised alternatives in the ESMA register

The ESMA interim register has rows for Bybit EU GmbH (FMA, Austria; host states include IT, read 20 October 2026) and OKX Europe Limited (MFSA, Malta; read 8 October 2026). See our pages on Bybit and OKX. This is a register fact, not a recommendation. For KuCoin’s own list of restricted places, see KuCoin restricted countries.

Sources and checked date

Sources are listed with the page. Checked 21 October 2026 by CryptoCodeHub editorial. Read our editorial policy and how we verify.