Stripe’s Bridge Secures Major EU Regulatory Approval
Bridge has received key approval from Luxembourg’s financial watchdog, the CSSF, to run its crypto services in the EU. The stablecoin unit now holds both an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) and a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license. Together, these EU licenses allow Bridge to legally operate across all 27 EU member states.
The new licenses mark a huge step for Bridge as Europe tightens its crypto laws. By setting up its compliance base in Luxembourg, Bridge can “passport” its license across the EU. This means it can offer crypto services in any member state without needing separate approvals in each one.
Moreover, the milestone comes as the EU phases out unlicensed crypto firms. Binance, for example, recently withdrew its MiCA license application in Greece amid regulatory concerns. The crypto exchange has begun closing its services in the region as it finds new routes to secure a license.
Meanwhile, Bridge is among a small group of digital asset firms that secured clearance as pressure grew ahead of the EU’s July 1 deadline. British banking company Standard Chartered received the same approval four days earlier, while crypto firm Ripple obtained preliminary MiCA clearance in late June.
