Bull Bitcoin has successfully obtained a MiCA license in France, allowing users across European Union member states to access its Bitcoin exchange and payment services seamlessly. Founder Francis Pouliot announced this milestone on June 23, 2026, via social media, marking the conclusion of a nearly three-year effort to break into the European market, which was entirely self-financed.
Pouliot expressed excitement regarding the achievement, emphasizing that the company maintained its cypherpunk philosophy centered around self-custody and privacy throughout the licensing process. He assured users that “all features of our website and wallet will remain exactly the same,” with no added burdens or restrictions impacting their experience.
Notably, Bull Bitcoin successfully completed the required PASSI and DORA cybersecurity audits without relying on third-party hosted services for its core Bitcoin infrastructure—a move Pouliot highlighted as a significant win for sovereignty and independence. The entire endeavor was funded internally, without seeking out external investors or lenders.
Founded in 2013 in Montreal, Bull Bitcoin operates as a Bitcoin-only, non-custodial exchange. The company’s distinctive model allows users to provide their own wallet addresses for purchases, ensuring Bitcoin is sent directly to the customer’s control rather than held by Bull Bitcoin. This approach underscores the firm’s cypherpunk ethos, which also includes services for Bitcoin bill payments related to rent, utilities, and real estate, along with support for privacy tools such as the Lightning Network, Liquid, and Payjoin.
The acquisition of the MiCA license signifies a strategic regulatory foothold for Bull Bitcoin in Europe, coinciding with the expansion of its team and services focused on the eurozone. Pouliot noted their extensive experience navigating the Canadian regulatory landscape and emphasized the importance of meeting obligations while pushing back against potential overreach. The new license aligns with this philosophy, allowing the core operations and user experience to remain intact.
In October 2025, Bull Bitcoin launched its BULL Wallet, a globally accessible, open-source, privacy-focused mobile application available on iOS and Android, featuring seamless integration with its exchange. Among its many features are Payjoin support, Lightning and Liquid compatibility, and an assurance of no data collection or intrusive notifications. The launch of the wallet has further solidified the company’s offerings while maintaining the status quo under the new license.
Pouliot expressed pride in his team’s performance and detailed ambitious future goals, stating, “Having secured a long-term foothold in Europe, our ambition is global domination and setting a new standard on how to build the infrastructure Bitcoin deserves.” This announcement comes at a time when many cryptocurrency providers in the EU are facing increased pressure to adapt their operations or exit the market due to tightening regulations under MiCA. Bull Bitcoin’s successful licensing suggests that it is possible to achieve rigorous compliance while upholding direct user custody, in-house infrastructure control, and privacy practices, although details regarding how they balanced user privacy with MiCA compliance were not specifically addressed.
