tablecoin infrastructure provider Bridge, owned by global payments company Stripe, has officially joined the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) register following regulatory approval in Luxembourg. The latest update from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) increases the number of authorized Electronic Money Token (EMT) issuers across the European Union to 42, marking another milestone in the region’s regulated digital asset ecosystem.
The registration allows Bridge to expand its regulated stablecoin and payment infrastructure across all 27 EU member states under the MiCA framework. The approval comes as Stripe continues strengthening its presence in digital payments following its acquisition of Bridge and its broader push into stablecoin-based financial services.
Bridge Receives MiCA Authorization Through Luxembourg
Bridge entered the MiCA register through its Luxembourg entity, Bridge Building, after obtaining regulatory approvals from Luxembourg’s financial regulator, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF).
The company secured both a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorization and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in Luxembourg. Together, these approvals enable Bridge to provide regulated stablecoin and electronic money services throughout the European Economic Area without seeking separate licenses in each member country.
The latest ESMA register now recognizes Bridge as the 42nd authorized Electronic Money Token issuer operating under MiCA.
What the Approval Means for Businesses
With MiCA authorization in place, Bridge can offer businesses across Europe a unified infrastructure for regulated digital payments and stablecoin services.
According to the company, businesses using Bridge’s platform can:
- Issue compliant euro-backed stablecoins.
- Create named virtual IBAN accounts.
- Offer euro payment accounts across EU member states.
- Enable cross-border payments through a single integration.
- Move funds between subsidiaries using stablecoin settlement instead of traditional correspondent banking networks.
The authorization significantly reduces regulatory complexity by allowing services to be passported across the European Union under one licensing framework.
MiCA Continues Expanding Europe’s Regulated Crypto Market
The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) has become the world’s most comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto assets.
Following MiCA’s full implementation, companies wishing to issue electronic money tokens or provide crypto services within the EU must obtain authorization from a national regulator before being listed in ESMA’s public register.
Bridge’s inclusion increases the number of authorized EMT issuers to 42, while ESMA also added three new German Crypto-Asset Service Providers, bringing the total number of authorized CASPs across the bloc to 324.
The newly authorized German firms are:
- Volksbank Die Gestalterbank
- VBU Volksbank im Unterland
- VR-Bank Erding
Stripe Expands Its Stablecoin Strategy
Bridge’s registration represents another important step in Stripe’s growing stablecoin strategy.
Stripe acquired Bridge in a deal reportedly valued at approximately $1.1 billion, making it one of the largest acquisitions in the stablecoin infrastructure sector. Since then, Stripe has integrated Bridge’s technology into its payments ecosystem to support global businesses seeking faster and more efficient cross-border transactions.
The company has increasingly positioned stablecoins as a key component of future payment infrastructure, particularly for international settlements and enterprise treasury operations.
Partnership With Visa Signals Broader Expansion
Bridge’s European regulatory approval follows additional expansion initiatives announced this year.
Earlier, Visa revealed plans to extend its collaboration with the Stripe-owned company by launching stablecoin-backed Visa card programs in more than 100 countries by the end of 2026. The partnership is expected to support businesses and developers looking to integrate stablecoin payments into traditional financial systems.
The MiCA approval strengthens Bridge’s ability to participate in these initiatives within Europe’s regulated financial environment.
Why MiCA Approval Matters
Obtaining MiCA authorization has become increasingly important for crypto companies operating in Europe.
Since the regulation entered full force, exchanges and stablecoin providers have been required to comply with new licensing and reserve requirements. Several major platforms have already adjusted their European offerings to align with the framework, while issuers that failed to obtain authorization have faced restrictions within the EU market.
For Bridge, the approval provides regulatory certainty while giving customers access to compliant payment and stablecoin infrastructure under a single European framework.
Conclusion
Bridge’s addition to the EU’s MiCA register marks another significant development in Europe’s rapidly evolving digital asset regulatory landscape. By becoming the 42nd authorized Electronic Money Token issuer, the Stripe-owned company is now positioned to offer regulated stablecoin, payment, and digital money services across all EU member states.
The approval also reflects Stripe’s continued investment in stablecoin infrastructure as regulated digital payments gain momentum globally. As more companies obtain MiCA authorization, the European Union is steadily establishing itself as one of the world’s leading jurisdictions for compliant crypto and stablecoin innovation.
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