BitPay has obtained a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework. The approval authorizes BitPay B.V., the company’s Dutch subsidiary, to offer regulated digital asset services across all 27 EU member states through MiCA’s passporting rules, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
With this license, BitPay can expand cryptocurrency payment acceptance, stablecoin-based transactions, and cross-border payment solutions for businesses throughout the bloc. Consumers will gain access to tools for spending and managing digital assets, while partner platforms can support buying, selling, and swapping cryptocurrencies. The company specifically highlighted a priority on expanding transactions with stablecoins such as USDC.
“This authorization strengthens our ability to serve businesses and consumers throughout the EU while reinforcing our compliance-focused approach,” said Thom de Jong, BitPay’s Chief Compliance Officer Europe. “MiCA provides a common regulatory framework for responsible digital asset innovation across Europe.”
Jonathan Arler, Head of Europe at BitPay, added: “Europe is one of the most important regions for the future of payments. From Amsterdam, BitPay is now positioned to support merchants, partners, and consumers as demand grows for practical ways to accept, move, manage, and spend digital assets.”
The approval comes amid a broader MiCA licensing race. Other major crypto firms have also secured EU-wide operating rights: Ripple obtained full CASP authorization from Luxembourg’s financial regulator earlier this month, while Coinbase selected Luxembourg as its European regulatory base. In contrast, Binance withdrew its Greek license application and began limiting services in several European markets after the July 1 transition deadline. The European Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) has warned that firms onboarding large customer volumes must maintain robust anti-money laundering controls.
Founded in 2011, BitPay intends to invest further in regional infrastructure and strategic partnerships to expand regulated cryptocurrency payment services across the EU.
