BitPay Secures MiCA Approval to Expand Crypto Payments Across the EU

• BitPay secured MiCA approval to offer regulated crypto services across all EU member states.
• The license supports stablecoin payments and compliant cross-border transactions across Europe.
• BitPay plans further European expansion through regulated infrastructure and strategic partnerships.

BitPay has secured authorization under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, allowing its Dutch subsidiary to provide regulated cryptocurrency payment services across the bloc. 

The approval enables the company to expand crypto and stablecoin payment solutions while strengthening its position in Europe’s rapidly evolving digital asset market.

BitPay gains EU-wide operating rights under MiCA

BitPay announced on July 16 that BitPay B.V. received authorization as a crypto-asset service provider (CASP) from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The approval allows the company to operate across European Union member states under MiCA’s passporting framework.

The authorization covers cryptocurrency payment processing, stablecoin transactions, cross-border payments, and consumer payment services. It also supports partner-enabled services for buying, selling, and swapping digital assets across the region.

Merchants can now accept cryptocurrency payments through a unified regulatory framework instead of navigating separate national licensing requirements. 

Consequently, businesses may expand digital payment options while maintaining compliance with EU regulations.

Consumers will also gain wider access to regulated cryptocurrency payment tools. Through BitPay’s partners, users can spend, manage, buy, sell, and swap supported digital assets across eligible European markets.

Thom de Jong, BitPay’s Chief Compliance Officer Europe, said the authorization strengthens the company’s ability to serve businesses and consumers throughout the European Union. He added that MiCA provides a common regulatory framework that supports responsible digital asset innovation while validating BitPay’s compliance-focused strategy.

The approval also expands BitPay’s broader regulatory footprint, which already includes money transmitter licenses and other approvals in multiple jurisdictions worldwide.

MiCA licensing reshapes Europe’s crypto payment sector

BitPay joins a growing list of crypto firms securing MiCA authorization following the European Union’s July 1 regulatory deadline for crypto-asset service providers.

Companies receiving MiCA approval can offer services throughout the EU under a single regulatory framework. This eliminates the need to obtain separate licenses in each member state and simplifies expansion across European markets.

Earlier this month, Ripple secured full CASP authorization in Luxembourg, while Coinbase established Luxembourg as its European regulatory hub. However, some firms, including Binance, scaled back licensing efforts in certain EU markets after the transition period ended.

Jonathan Arler, BitPay’s Head of Europe, said Europe remains one of the most important regions for the future of payments. He noted that the company’s Amsterdam base positions BitPay to support growing demand for regulated cryptocurrency and stablecoin payment solutions.

Founded in 2011, BitPay said the MiCA authorization marks the next phase of its European growth strategy. 

The company plans additional investments in regional infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and regulated payment services as cryptocurrency adoption expands across commerce, consumer finance, stablecoin payments, and cross-border transactions.