Cryptocurrency payments company BitPay has confirmed that its European subsidiary has been authorised as a crypto-asset service provider (CASP) by the Dutch regulator.
The approval was granted by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
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The company described the licence as a “significant growth point” in its ability to serve European customers.
BitPay said the MiCA authorisation will allow it to support regulated crypto-asset payment services across the European Union (EU).
According to the company, the scope includes payment processing, cross-border payments, consumer spending use cases, and partner-supported buying, selling, and swapping.
For consumers, the licence broadens access to tools for spending and managing digital assets. The company added that buying, selling, and swapping will be available through BitPay’s partners.
BitPay Europe chief compliance officer Thom de Jong said: “Receiving a MiCA authorisation from the AFM is an important milestone for BitPay and strengthens our ability to serve businesses and consumers with regulated digital asset services across the EU.
“MiCA creates a unified framework for responsible crypto innovation across Europe, and this authorisation adds a strong validation of our compliance-first approach for our customers.”
BitPay said the European authorisation adds to its existing regulatory coverage, including money transmitter licences and other approvals in multiple jurisdictions.
BitPay Europe head Jonathan Arler said: “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.”
Founded in 2011, BitPay defines itself as “one of the oldest cryptocurrency companies”. The company operates in North America and Europe and has raised more than $70m in funding from multiple investors.
It plans to continue investing in European operations, partnerships, and regulated payment infrastructure.
The company stated that the aim is to make cryptocurrency “more practical and accessible” for businesses and consumers across the EU.
In May, the European subsidiary of digital asset infrastructure provider zerohash secured an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence from the Dutch central bank.
