Bridge has secured MiCA and EMI authorisations to expand its stablecoin services across all 27 EU member states, positioning the company as one of the first stablecoin infrastructure providers to obtain both regulatory approvals under Europe’s new crypto framework.
What Bridge secured for its EU rollout
Bridge announced that it obtained two distinct EU licenses: a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) authorisation and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) authorisation, according to a company blog post. The scope of both approvals covers all 27 EU member states. For related coverage, see Fintech Revolution Summit Malaysia 2026 Opens Sponsorship, Speaking, and Exhibition Opportunities.
The MiCA licence allows Bridge to offer regulated crypto-asset services, including stablecoin issuance and custody, within the EU’s harmonised regulatory perimeter. The EMI authorisation separately enables the company to issue electronic money and process payments, a critical requirement for firms that want to operate stablecoin-based payment rails in Europe. For related coverage, see Defendant Seeks Dismissal in Lawsuit Over 39,069 Dormant Bitcoin Wallets.
Bridge framed the dual licensing as a foundation for compliant stablecoin operations rather than a single-market entry. By holding both approvals, the company can service the full lifecycle of a stablecoin transaction, from issuance through to settlement, under European law. For related coverage, see Bitcoin ETFs Pull In $222M, Ending 10-Day Outflow Streak.
Why MiCA and EMI approvals matter now
The timing is significant. The EU’s MiCA transitional period has ended, meaning crypto firms without proper authorisation can no longer rely on national-level exemptions to operate across the bloc. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published a public statement confirming the close of that transitional window. For related coverage, see US Spot Bitcoin ETFs Top $200M in Daily Inflows for First Time Since May.
For stablecoin providers specifically, MiCA introduced strict reserve, disclosure, and governance requirements. Firms that have not secured authorisation face the prospect of losing access to EU users entirely. A CoinDesk report noted the July 1 MiCA deadline could leave up to 10 million crypto users searching for a new platform in the EU.
Bridge’s move to lock in both MiCA and EMI approvals ahead of that deadline gives it a regulatory head start over competitors still navigating the application process. The MiCA framework is designed to create a single rulebook for crypto across the EU, replacing the patchwork of national regimes that previously governed the sector.
What the move could signal for cross-border payments
A fully licensed EU stablecoin network has implications beyond Europe. For firms in Southeast Asia involved in cross-border settlement, a compliant European counterparty simplifies the regulatory handshake required for international crypto payment flows. This is particularly relevant as fintech infrastructure in markets like Malaysia continues to develop.
Bridge’s EU expansion does not include any confirmed operations in ASEAN markets. However, the precedent of obtaining unified multi-state licensing under MiCA could serve as a compliance benchmark for regulators in other regions evaluating how to structure their own stablecoin frameworks.
The broader trend of institutional players securing formal crypto licences, whether through tokenized deposit platforms or stablecoin infrastructure, signals that regulated access is becoming the competitive moat in digital asset services. Bridge’s dual-licence approach in Europe is one of the clearest examples of that shift to date.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.
