What MiCA authorisation means
The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation is now fully applicable across the EU, and the national transitional regimes that let existing providers continue without authorisation ended on 1 July 2026. ESMA maintains a public register of authorised crypto-asset service providers, which listed 325 authorised CASPs in mid-August 2026.
Concretely, an authorised CASP must meet requirements on governance, safeguarding of client assets, IT security, disclosure and complaints handling. Authorisation in one member state carries passporting rights across the Union, which is why a Lithuanian authorisation lets CoinGate serve clients in Germany, France or Spain without twenty-seven separate applications.
The product itself
Beneath the compliance story, this is a competent gift-card storefront. Thousands of brands across 90+ countries, around 70 cryptocurrencies accepted, instant email delivery, and a catalogue weighted towards European retailers rather than US ones.
The dual nature is a genuine feature for some users. CoinGate is primarily a merchant payment processor, so the same account that buys gift cards can also accept crypto payments if you run a business. Nobody else in this comparison set does both properly.
Pricing is a small markup on most brands rather than the consistent face-value model Bitrefill runs. Run the rate check as always — the stated markup is only part of the picture, and it costs a minute to see the whole one.
| Platform | Regulated status | Account needed? | Catalogue |
|---|---|---|---|
| CoinGate | MiCA-authorised CASP | Yes | Thousands, EU-weighted |
| Bitrefill | Swedish company; no MiCA claim we could verify | No | ~8,000 brands |
| Coinsbee | German company | No | 5,000+ brands |
| Bitnovo | PSAN registered with the French AMF | Yes | Vouchers, not brand cards |
The regulated trade-off
It is worth stating plainly, because this site spends a lot of time explaining how to avoid KYC and it would be inconsistent to pretend that is always the right goal.
Verification exists because supervision exists. A platform that has agreed to safeguarding and AML obligations cannot simultaneously offer anonymous checkout — those are opposite commitments. So the question is not which is better; it is which risk you would rather carry.
- No-KYC platforms minimise data exposure. You hand over less, so less can leak — as the March 2026 Bitrefill breach demonstrated. You also have no supervisor to escalate to if an order fails.
- Regulated platforms minimise counterparty risk. Somebody has obligations to you and an address you can complain to. You also hand over identity documents that now sit in a database.
Neither answer is wrong. Our honest position: use a no-KYC platform for routine small purchases and a regulated one for anything large enough that you would want recourse.
Pros and cons
What works well
- MiCA-authorised, which after 1 July 2026 is a meaningful distinction rather than a marketing line
- A named Lithuanian entity operating since 2014, supervised inside the EU framework
- Around 70 cryptocurrencies accepted
- Thousands of gift-card brands across 90+ countries, strongest in Europe
- Doubles as a merchant payment processor, so the same account can pay and be paid
- A real complaints and escalation path, because there is a supervisor to escalate to
- Instant email delivery
What to watch out for
- Account required, with EU anti-money-laundering thresholds — this is not a no-KYC option
- Small markup on most brands rather than consistent face-value pricing
- No standing cashback programme
- Coverage outside Europe is thinner than Coinsbee or Bitrefill
- No Lightning support
- The regulated posture means more friction on larger orders, by design
Choose CoinGate if
- You are in the EU or EEA and want a supervised counterparty.
- The order is large enough that recourse matters more than convenience.
- You also want a merchant payment processor from the same provider.
- You want a platform whose authorisation you can verify on ESMA's register.
Look elsewhere if
CoinGate: FAQ
Is CoinGate regulated?
Yes. CoinGate is a Lithuanian company operating under MiCA authorisation as a crypto-asset service provider. Since the EU transitional period closed on 1 July 2026, authorisation is required to serve EU clients — so this is now a genuine dividing line between operators rather than a nice-to-have.
What does MiCA authorisation actually give me?
An identifiable legal entity, a national supervisor with a complaints process, mandatory governance, client-asset safeguarding and IT-security obligations, and an entry in ESMA's public register you can check. It does not give you deposit insurance. See crypto gift cards in Europe.
Does CoinGate require KYC?
Yes — an account is required and EU AML thresholds apply. If avoiding verification is your priority, this is the wrong platform and no-KYC gift cards covers the alternatives. If having recourse is your priority, that friction is the point.
CoinGate or Bitrefill for a European buyer?
Bitrefill for catalogue depth, Lightning payments and sats-back rewards. CoinGate if you want a supervised EU counterparty and are willing to accept an account and a small markup for it. Both are legitimate; they optimise for different things.
How many coins does CoinGate accept?
Around 70, covering the majors and a solid range of mid-caps. Fewer than Coinsbee's 200+, more than most. No Lightning support, so use Litecoin or a stablecoin on a cheap chain for small orders.
Sources and further reading
Figures on this page were checked in August 2026. Fees, country lists and promotions change without notice — always confirm on the operator's own site before you pay.
- CoinGate — gift card storefront, coin support and country coverage
- ESMA — Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation — MiCA framework and the CASP register
- AMF — end of the transitional period on 1 July 2026 — authorisation deadline for EU service providers
- ESMA — first rules on crypto-asset service providers — CASP authorisation requirements