Stripe-Owned Bridge Secures MiCA and EMI Licences in Luxembourg, Unlocking Regulated Stablecoin Services Across All 27 EU Countries

Bridge Wins EU-Wide Approval To Expand Stablecoin Payments

Stripe-owned stablecoin infrastructure provider Bridge has secured two key licences in Luxembourg, opening the door for regulated operations across all 27 European Union member states.

The company has obtained authorisation as a crypto-asset service provider under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, alongside an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence.

The approvals allow Bridge to offer euro payment services and stablecoin products across the bloc under a single regulatory regime instead of seeking licences country by country.

The dual approval comes as Europe enters a new phase of crypto regulation following the full implementation of MiCA rules on 1 July, which require crypto firms serving EU customers to comply with stricter standards for stablecoins and digital asset services.

New Tools Aim To Simplify Payments Across Europe

Bridge plans to use the new licences to expand its stablecoin infrastructure for businesses, developers and financial institutions operating in Europe.

Companies building on Bridge's platform will be able to issue their own euro-backed stablecoins without having to create reserve management systems or navigate regulatory requirements on their own.

The company is also introducing named virtual IBANs and euro accounts that can be used across the European Union through a single integration.

The new offering means businesses no longer need separate banking relationships in every EU country to provide local euro accounts and payment services.

Mai Leduc Blount, Head of Product at Bridge, said,

"A business in the EU can now issue its own euro stablecoin and pair it with named IBANs and named EUR payouts across all 27 member states, on a single integration.”

Bridge said the infrastructure can support a wide range of use cases, including loyalty programmes, rewards systems, on and off ramps, and in-app payment products.

Can Stablecoins Replace Traditional Payment Networks

The company believes stablecoins can offer a more efficient alternative to existing financial infrastructure, particularly for cross-border transactions.

Businesses will be able to use custom stablecoins to move funds between subsidiaries instead of relying on correspondent banking networks.

Banks and financial institutions can also settle transactions through stablecoin rails rather than traditional interbank messaging systems.

Cross-border payments have long been criticised for being slower and more expensive than domestic transfers because they involve multiple intermediaries, currencies and regulatory frameworks.

Industry participants increasingly see stablecoins as a way to improve settlement times and streamline liquidity management.

However, regulators and researchers have noted that evidence remains limited on whether stablecoins consistently lower costs compared with existing payment systems, with expenses varying depending on payment routes and currency conversion requirements.

Luxembourg Emerges As A Gateway For Crypto Firms

Bridge's approval adds to a growing list of digital asset companies choosing Luxembourg as their entry point into the European market.

Several major players have recently secured similar authorisations in the country.

Standard Chartered, Ripple and Coinbase have all announced progress in obtaining MiCA approvals or related payment licences in Luxembourg as they seek to expand regulated digital asset services across Europe.

French fintech company Fipto also completed the dual licensing process earlier and became the first stablecoin payments provider in Europe to hold both MiCA and payment licences.

The growing number of approvals highlights increasing competition among firms looking to build regulated stablecoin payment infrastructure for businesses and financial institutions across the continent.

Europe Draws A Clear Line On Stablecoin Compliance

Bridge's expansion comes as the European Union tightens oversight of stablecoins under MiCA.

The final phase of the regulation took effect on 1 July, requiring regulated crypto platforms to support only compliant stablecoins.

The move has already prompted several exchanges to alter their services.

Coinbase, Kraken and Crypto.com removed trading of Tether's USDT for European users after Tether decided not to pursue MiCA authorisation.

Binance has also introduced changes to its European operations to align with the new rules while maintaining access to services such as withdrawals and transfers where applicable.

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Against that backdrop, Bridge's new licences position the company to offer regulated stablecoin and euro payment services throughout the European Union at a time when compliance is becoming a key requirement for operating in the region's digital asset market.