Crypto Exchange OKX Fined $2.6M in Netherlands for Failing to Register With Dutch National Bank

Global cryptocurrency trading firm OKX was fined 2.25 million euros ($2.6 million) by the Dutch National Bank (DNB) for offering crypto services in the Netherlands without having registered with the financial regulator.

The fine on the company, whose official name is Aux Cayes Fintech Co., relates to the period July 2023 to August 2024, before the introduction of Europe Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets regime (MiCA), according to a press release.

The Netherlands started requiring crypto firms to register with the DNB in early 2020, bringing digital assets in line with the country’s anti-money laundering rules (Wwft). The bank has punished several crypto exchanges for similar shortcomings, including Crypto.com, which was fined 2.85 million euros, and Kraken, which had to pay 4 million euros.

“This fine relates to a legacy registration matter that has long since been remediated, with no impact on customers,” said an OKX representative via email. The fine “is the lowest fine issued by DNB against a major exchange and was reduced in recognition of the steps we took, including migrating Dutch users to our fully MiCAR-licensed European entity. We’re pleased to have resolved this matter and remain focused on building compliant, secure services across Europe and beyond.”