The Number of Licensed Cryptocompanies Has Increased in the EU

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has expanded the register of licensed Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs), adding another 15 companies to it. This is already the third update of the list after the end of the MiCA regulation transitional period. As a result, the total number of organizations authorized to operate under the European Union's new rules has already reached 309.

Among the new licensees are representatives of both the traditional financial sector and crypto-companies. The Belgian subsidiary of the American banking holding company BNY Mellon received permission. In addition, 3 banks from Germany were added to the register. Crypto services BitPay, Coinify, and Bleap also received CASP status.

The current update confirms that European regulators continue to bring the cryptocurrency market under unified operational standards. The MiCA regulation became the first pan-European regulatory framework that sets common requirements for crypto-asset service providers.

After the end of the transitional period, national supervisory bodies accelerated the processing of applications. Companies that meet the MiCA requirements gain the opportunity to operate not only in their country of registration but throughout the entire European Union. This relieves market participants of the need to undergo separate licensing in each jurisdiction.

The inclusion of several banks in the register indicates the growing interest of traditional financial organizations in digital currencies. Large credit institutions are gradually integrating crypto services into their products, adapting to the new requirements of European legislation. At the same time, specialized crypto platforms continue to receive licenses, aiming to maintain access to the EU market.