bitFlyer, the Japanese bitcoin exchange operator has officially expanded into Europe. The news which was released on the 22nd January in an official statement explained that the exchange was now licensed to operate within the EU and was looking to attract sophisticated and professional traders and investors.

bitFlyer is one of the largest exchanges and reports have now suggested that it is the first Bitcoin exchange to be legislated in Europe, Japan and the US. To be approved, the platform had to be granted a payment institution license, which was done so by the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology Foundation, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier and the Luxembourg regulator.

Pierre Gramegna, Luxembourg's Minister of Finance said the country was delighted that one of the most prominent and most prosperous startups from Japan had chosen their nation as a platform.

The new branch will begin with the EUR/BTC trading pair, but there are plans to include further digital currency options soon. The official statement also revealed that in an attempt to attract customers from the EU, the branch is advertising 0% trading fees until the end of February.

bitFlyer officially launched in the US in November 2017.