BitPay Obtains EU Crypto License Under MiCA Regulations

Cryptocurrency payment processor BitPay has received authorization to operate across the European Union under the bloc’s landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, the company announced Thursday (July 16).

The approval, granted by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), designates the firm’s European subsidiary, BitPay B.V., as an authorized crypto-asset service provider (CASP). The license allows the Atlanta-based company to provide a suite of regulated services, including payment processing, cross-border transactions and stablecoin-denominated payments across all EU member states.

The move marks a significant expansion for BitPay as it seeks to capitalize on the EU’s unified regulatory framework. Prior to MiCA, crypto firms often faced a fragmented landscape of varying national rules. Under the new regime, BitPay can now offer consumers and merchants broader access to digital asset management tools, including the ability to buy, sell and swap assets through authorized partners.

Thom de Jong, BitPay’s chief compliance officer for Europe, said the authorization validates the company’s “compliance-first approach” and provides a stable foundation for “responsible crypto innovation” The company noted that the MiCA license is part of a broader effort to expand its global regulatory footprint, which already includes money transmitter licenses in several other jurisdictions.

Jonathan Arler, BitPay’s head of Europe, described the region as “one of the most important” for the future of the payments industry. He added that the company’s Amsterdam-based operations are now positioned to meet rising demand for practical digital asset utility in commerce and consumer finance.

Founded in 2011, BitPay is among the oldest specialized firms in the sector, having raised more than $70 million in funding from investors such as Founders Fund, Index Ventures and Virgin Group. The company said it plans to continue investing in its European infrastructure and strategic partnerships to further integrate digital assets into cross-border transactions.