DEBLOCK

DEBLOCK represents a pioneering approach to financial technology, operating as Europe's first MiCA-licensed crypto neobank that seamlessly integrates traditional banking services with self-custodial cryptocurrency management. Founded in August 2022 by seasoned executives from Revolut and Ledger, the Amsterdam-headquartered company has achieved unprecedented regulatory recognition, becoming the first fintech to secure both PSAN approval and comprehensive MiCA licensing from France's Autorité des Marchés Financiers while simultaneously holding Electronic Money Institution status from the Banque de France.

Learn More About Platform Ratings →

Note on fees: DEBLOCK operates a three-tier model with a free basic plan, Premium subscription at €14.99 monthly, and exclusive Native tier requiring NFT ownership. Premium members enjoy 0.49% crypto trading fees, 1% cashback, zero foreign exchange fees, and access to the world's first Metal-LED glowing payment card, while maintaining complete self-custody of digital assets.

The company's revolutionary approach combines the convenience of modern neobanking with the security and autonomy of self-custodial cryptocurrency storage, powered by institutional-grade infrastructure from Dfns. With comprehensive European regulatory compliance and backing from leading investors including Headline, 20VC, and Hoxton Ventures, DEBLOCK has positioned itself at the forefront of the converging traditional and digital finance landscapes, serving users who demand both regulatory certainty and technological innovation.

Company History & Development

DEBLOCK's journey began with a compelling vision to eliminate the artificial barriers between traditional banking and cryptocurrency management that have long frustrated European users. The company's founding team brought complementary expertise from the continent's most successful fintech ventures: Jean Meyer as CEO contributed deep cryptocurrency knowledge from his role as Head of Crypto at Revolut, while Aaron Beck brought payments infrastructure experience as Revolut's Head of Core Payments and Banking Partnerships. Chief Operating Officer Adriana Restrepo added crucial operational expertise from her tenure as COO of Revolut's European Banking operations, and Chief Technology Officer Mario Eguiliuz provided blockchain engineering leadership from his position as Head of Engineering at Ledger.

The timing of DEBLOCK's August 2022 founding proved prescient, as European cryptocurrency regulation was entering a transformative period with MiCA's approaching implementation. Rather than viewing regulatory requirements as constraints, the founding team recognized them as opportunities to establish competitive advantages through compliance leadership. This regulatory-first approach would prove decisive in distinguishing DEBLOCK from competitors operating in regulatory grey areas or avoiding European markets entirely.

The company's initial development focused on solving fundamental infrastructure challenges through strategic partnerships rather than building everything in-house. The collaboration with Dfns, a leading wallet-as-a-service provider, enabled DEBLOCK to leverage institutional-grade Multi-Party Computation technology for secure key management while maintaining the simplified user experience essential for mainstream adoption. This partnership approach allowed the team to concentrate on product development and regulatory compliance rather than rebuilding complex infrastructure components.

DEBLOCK's funding journey reflected the growing institutional interest in compliant cryptocurrency infrastructure. The initial €12 million seed round in 2023 from investors including 20VC, Headline, Hoxton Ventures, and Kima Ventures provided capital for product development and regulatory preparations. The recent £13.3 million extension round demonstrated continued investor confidence in the company's regulatory strategy and market positioning, with participation from established fintech investors who understood the long-term value of compliance leadership.

The regulatory milestone that fundamentally transformed DEBLOCK's competitive position occurred throughout 2024 and early 2025. In December 2023, the company became the first PSAN (Prestataire de Services sur Actifs Numériques) to receive Electronic Money Institution approval from the Banque de France, enabling comprehensive payment services. This achievement was followed by the even more significant accomplishment in 2025 of becoming the first fintech to receive MiCA authorization from the French AMF, positioning DEBLOCK among the earliest fully compliant cryptocurrency service providers under Europe's harmonized regulatory framework.

The company's product evolution has been equally impressive, launching its comprehensive platform in April 2024 with immediate availability across multiple European markets. The introduction of innovative features like the world's first Metal-LED payment card demonstrates DEBLOCK's commitment to combining practical utility with distinctive user experiences that set it apart from conventional neobanks and crypto platforms alike.

Business Model & Core Services

DEBLOCK operates an innovative hybrid business model that combines the accessibility of modern neobanking with the security advantages of self-custodial cryptocurrency management, generating revenue through subscription tiers rather than transaction fees or asset custody charges. This approach aligns the company's interests with user satisfaction and long-term engagement rather than encouraging high-frequency trading or complex product sales.

The platform's core offering centers on seamless integration between traditional European banking infrastructure and cryptocurrency management through a unified interface. Users receive IBAN accounts that function identically to conventional bank accounts while maintaining complete control over their cryptocurrency private keys through DEBLOCK's self-custodial architecture. This integration eliminates the friction typically associated with moving between fiat and digital assets, enabling real-time conversions and transfers that feel as natural as traditional banking operations.

The three-tier subscription model creates clear value propositions for different user segments without the complexity of transaction-based pricing common among cryptocurrency platforms. The free tier provides basic functionality for users exploring crypto-banking integration, while the Premium subscription at €14.99 monthly unlocks advanced features including reduced trading fees, cashback rewards, and exclusive access to innovative products like the Metal-LED payment card. The Native tier, accessible through NFT ownership, represents the company's most exclusive offering for cryptocurrency enthusiasts seeking maximum status and functionality.

Revenue diversification extends beyond subscription fees through strategic partnerships and value-added services. The company's regulatory compliance enables it to offer services that unregulated competitors cannot provide, including SEPA integration, European deposit protection, and institutional-grade compliance reporting. These capabilities create opportunities for B2B partnerships and premium service offerings that generate additional revenue streams while strengthening DEBLOCK's market position.

The self-custodial approach represents a fundamental differentiator that eliminates the operational risks and regulatory complexities associated with holding customer cryptocurrency assets. By enabling users to maintain complete control over their private keys while providing institutional-grade infrastructure through Dfns partnership, DEBLOCK avoids the custody risks that have plagued centralized platforms while maintaining the user experience simplicity that mainstream adoption requires.

Regulatory Compliance & Trust

DEBLOCK has established itself as Europe's regulatory compliance leader in cryptocurrency banking, achieving multiple groundbreaking authorizations that position the company advantageously in the post-MiCA European market. The company's comprehensive MiCA license from France's Autorité des Marchés Financiers represents a historic achievement, making DEBLOCK the first fintech to receive this authorization and enabling passporting rights across all 29 European Economic Area member states.

The MiCA licensing process required extensive demonstration of operational resilience, consumer protection mechanisms, governance structures, and risk management frameworks that meet European Union standards for cryptocurrency service providers. These requirements significantly exceed those typically applied to unregulated platforms, ensuring institutional-grade operational standards while providing users with legal protections comparable to traditional financial services.

Beyond MiCA compliance, DEBLOCK's Electronic Money Institution authorization from the Banque de France provides additional regulatory stability through established prudential supervision frameworks that have governed electronic money services for over a decade. This dual regulatory structure creates comprehensive coverage that addresses both cryptocurrency-specific requirements and traditional payment service regulations under unified supervision.

The company's PSAN registration with the French AMF adds further regulatory depth, demonstrating adherence to France's pioneering cryptocurrency service provider framework that served as inspiration for MiCA's development. This early compliance with French requirements provided DEBLOCK with valuable experience in navigating complex regulatory processes that proved essential for achieving broader European authorization.

The regulatory achievement is particularly significant given the challenging environment facing cryptocurrency companies seeking European authorization. Industry estimates suggest that up to 75% of European cryptocurrency companies may lose registration by mid-2025 due to compliance difficulties, making DEBLOCK's early authorization achievement a substantial competitive advantage that creates defensive moats against less compliant competitors.

Economics & Value Proposition

DEBLOCK delivers compelling economic value through its subscription-based model that prioritizes user outcomes over transaction volume, creating aligned incentives between the platform and user financial success. The Premium subscription at €14.99 monthly provides comprehensive value including reduced 0.49% cryptocurrency trading fees, 1% cashback on purchases, zero foreign exchange fees, and access to exclusive features like the Metal-LED payment card.

The fee structure proves particularly attractive for European users who regularly engage with both traditional banking and cryptocurrency markets. Unlike conventional platforms that charge separate fees for banking services, cryptocurrency trading, foreign exchange, and premium features, DEBLOCK's integrated approach provides comprehensive functionality through a single subscription that often costs less than the combined fees users would pay across multiple specialized platforms.

European market integration creates additional value through SEPA payment support, local currency compatibility, and regulatory compliance that eliminates concerns about platform availability or legal standing. The MiCA licensing provides cost advantages through regulatory certainty, eliminating the risk exposure associated with unregulated platforms that may face operational restrictions or market exit requirements.

The self-custodial approach provides unique economic benefits by eliminating counterparty risks while maintaining user experience simplicity. Users retain complete ownership of their cryptocurrency assets without relying on platform custody, while benefiting from institutional-grade security infrastructure and recovery mechanisms that address traditional self-custody challenges.

The cashback and rewards system creates ongoing value that scales with user engagement rather than penalizing frequent platform usage. The 1% cashback rate on Premium accounts compares favorably with traditional credit cards while being applied to both traditional purchases and cryptocurrency transactions, creating unified rewards across all financial activities.

Technology & User Experience

DEBLOCK has developed its technology infrastructure around the principle that advanced cryptocurrency functionality should be completely invisible to end users, delivering the autonomy benefits of self-custody through interfaces that feel as intuitive as conventional banking applications. The platform's architecture utilizes Dfns's institutional-grade wallet infrastructure, which employs Multi-Party Computation technology to provide enterprise-level security without requiring users to manage complex cryptographic operations.

The self-custodial implementation represents significant innovation in user experience design, enabling users to maintain complete control over their cryptocurrency private keys while providing seamless account recovery mechanisms through verified identity processes. This approach eliminates the traditional trade-off between security and usability that has historically limited mainstream cryptocurrency adoption, offering institutional-grade protection through user-friendly interfaces.

The unified platform architecture seamlessly integrates traditional banking functionality with cryptocurrency management, enabling real-time conversions between EUR and digital assets without requiring separate applications or complex operational procedures. Users can execute transactions, monitor portfolios, and manage both fiat and cryptocurrency balances through a single interface that maintains consistent design patterns across all functionality.

Mobile application development prioritizes European market requirements through comprehensive SEPA integration, local payment method support, and multilingual interfaces that accommodate diverse European user bases. The platform provides feature parity across iOS and Android while maintaining responsive design principles that ensure consistent functionality regardless of device specifications or connectivity conditions.

The Metal-LED payment card represents breakthrough innovation in premium banking products, combining practical functionality with distinctive visual appeal that creates memorable user experiences. This physical product innovation demonstrates DEBLOCK's commitment to bridging digital innovation with tangible value propositions that resonate with users seeking premium financial products.

Customer support operates through multiple channels with emphasis on proactive problem resolution rather than reactive support models common in traditional cryptocurrency platforms. The team's background in consumer fintech enables effective communication across technical and non-technical user segments while maintaining response times that reflect the company's premium positioning.

Security & Risk Management

DEBLOCK implements comprehensive security measures that address both traditional banking risks and cryptocurrency-specific operational challenges through its self-custodial architecture and institutional-grade infrastructure partnerships. The platform's security framework operates under oversight from multiple European financial regulators while maintaining operational flexibility necessary for rapid innovation in cryptocurrency functionality.

The self-custodial approach provides fundamental security advantages by eliminating the custodial risks that have historically resulted in large-scale cryptocurrency losses at centralized platforms. Users maintain cryptographic control over their private keys through DEBLOCK's interface while benefiting from institutional-grade key management infrastructure provided by Dfns, which utilizes Multi-Party Computation technology to secure key operations without creating single points of failure.

The partnership with Dfns provides additional security advantages through battle-tested infrastructure that has maintained zero security incidents across over 1,400 days of operation. This institutional-grade foundation includes hardware security modules, distributed key storage, and comprehensive audit trails that provide transparency for both users and regulators while maintaining the operational efficiency necessary for consumer-facing applications.

MiCA compliance requirements include mandatory operational resilience standards, business continuity planning, and comprehensive incident response procedures that undergo regular regulatory review. The platform maintains redundant system architectures and automated failover capabilities to ensure operational continuity during adverse conditions while providing comprehensive monitoring systems for unusual activity detection.

The Electronic Money Institution licensing provides additional security assurance through established prudential supervision frameworks that include capital adequacy requirements, segregated client fund protection, and comprehensive governance standards. This regulatory oversight creates multiple layers of protection that extend beyond technical security measures to include operational and financial resilience standards.

Business continuity planning addresses potential operational disruptions through diversified service provider relationships and established procedures for maintaining user access during various adverse scenarios. The regulatory framework provides users with legal protections and established complaint resolution procedures that exceed those available through unregulated cryptocurrency platforms while maintaining the operational flexibility necessary for continued innovation.

Market Position & Suitability

DEBLOCK occupies a unique position in the European financial services landscape by combining pioneering regulatory compliance with innovative technology solutions that address fundamental limitations in both traditional banking and cryptocurrency platforms.

Tech-Savvy European Consumers represent the platform's primary target market, benefiting from DEBLOCK's seamless integration of banking and cryptocurrency functionality within a comprehensive regulatory framework. These users value the convenience of unified financial management while prioritizing the security advantages of self-custody and regulatory protection that ensures long-term platform availability and legal compliance.

Cryptocurrency Enthusiasts Seeking Mainstream Integration find significant value in DEBLOCK's approach to bridging digital assets with traditional European banking infrastructure. The platform enables sophisticated cryptocurrency management while maintaining the familiar interfaces and regulatory protections expected from established financial institutions, creating confident adoption opportunities for users hesitant about unregulated cryptocurrency platforms.

Premium Banking Customers are drawn to DEBLOCK's distinctive offerings including the world's first Metal-LED payment card, comprehensive cashback programs, and zero foreign exchange fees that create substantial value for frequent travelers or international consumers. The Premium subscription model provides clear value propositions that compete favorably with traditional private banking services while offering cryptocurrency functionality unavailable from conventional institutions.

Regulatory-Conscious Investors benefit from DEBLOCK's comprehensive European compliance that provides legal certainty and consumer protection mechanisms comparable to traditional financial services. The MiCA licensing and EMI status create confidence for conservative investors seeking cryptocurrency exposure while maintaining institutional-grade protection standards and established regulatory oversight.

European Digital Nomads and Cross-Border Professionals find substantial value in DEBLOCK's combination of SEPA integration, multi-currency support, and cryptocurrency functionality that enables seamless financial management across European markets. The platform's regulatory compliance eliminates concerns about service availability or legal complications when operating across different European Economic Area member states.

The platform's limitations include focus on major cryptocurrencies rather than comprehensive altcoin support, premium pricing that may not appeal to cost-conscious users, and European regulatory focus that limits global expansion opportunities. Additionally, the self-custodial model, while providing security advantages, requires basic technical understanding that may challenge users preferring completely passive asset management.

Conclusion

DEBLOCK represents a significant evolution in European financial technology, successfully combining regulatory compliance leadership with innovative product development that addresses fundamental gaps in both traditional banking and cryptocurrency services. The company's historic achievement as Europe's first MiCA-licensed crypto neobank demonstrates exceptional regulatory preparation while its technology partnerships and product innovation create sustainable competitive advantages in an increasingly regulated market environment.

The platform's core strengths include pioneering regulatory compliance that provides legal certainty and consumer protection, innovative self-custodial architecture that eliminates counterparty risks while maintaining user experience simplicity, comprehensive European market integration through SEPA and local payment systems, and distinctive premium features like the Metal-LED payment card that create memorable user experiences. The company's experienced founding team and strategic investor backing provide confidence in continued execution and market expansion capabilities.

Areas for continued development include expanding cryptocurrency asset support beyond major digital currencies, developing additional premium features that justify subscription pricing for cost-conscious users, building educational resources to support mainstream adoption of self-custodial concepts, and exploring expansion opportunities beyond European markets. The company's regulatory-first approach may occasionally limit innovation speed compared to unregulated competitors, but provides sustainable competitive advantages in institutional and consumer markets prioritizing security and compliance.

For European users seeking regulated, innovative financial services that seamlessly integrate traditional banking with cryptocurrency functionality, DEBLOCK offers compelling advantages over both conventional banks lacking digital asset capabilities and unregulated cryptocurrency platforms with uncertain legal standing. The combination of regulatory certainty, technological innovation, and premium service delivery makes it particularly suitable for sophisticated consumers prioritizing both security and user experience innovation.

The company's strategic positioning for continued success appears strong, with comprehensive European regulatory compliance providing defensive advantages while innovative technology solutions and product development enable expansion opportunities as cryptocurrency adoption continues growing among mainstream European consumers. As the European financial services sector continues evolving under MiCA frameworks, DEBLOCK's early compliance leadership and technology innovation position it advantageously for sustained growth and market leadership.

Last updated: September 3, 2025