⚡ Alpaca Passports Investment Services Into 29 EEA Countries From Spanish Hub

Alpaca has secured regulatory passporting clearance to offer investment infrastructure services across 29 European Economic Area countries from its Spanish hub. The US-based brokerage technology firm completed the authorization under MiFID II regulations through Spain’s CNMV, allowing it to extend services across the bloc without separate applications in each jurisdiction. The move covers nearly 500 million people across markets including Germany, France, Italy, and smaller states like Malta and Iceland.

The expansion follows Alpaca’s 2024 acquisition of UK firm WealthKernel, rebranded as Alpaca Europe. Fintechs and banks in EEA markets can now access Alpaca’s account, custody, and trading tools through a single European entity. This puts Alpaca in direct competition with Berlin-based Upvest, which raised 125 million dollars this year at a 640 million euro valuation and processes orders for Revolut, N26, and Santander’s Openbank.

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European fintechs now have a US-backed alternative to Upvest’s infrastructure, potentially lowering barriers to launching investment products across the EEA.

Source: Finance Magnates