SKN | Bybit Secures Austrian E-Money License to Expand Crypto Payment Services Across Europe

Key Points

• Bybit’s Austrian payments subsidiary has received an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Austria’s Financial Market Authority.
• The license enables Bybit to develop regulated payment services, including person-to-person transfers, merchant payments, open banking and card products.
• Payment services will operate alongside Bybit’s existing MiCA-licensed crypto platform serving most of the European Economic Area.
• The approval strengthens Bybit’s regulatory position and reduces its reliance on third-party payment providers.

Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has secured an important regulatory milestone in Europe after its Austrian payments subsidiary received an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA).

The new authorization allows Bybit Payments GmbH to develop and offer regulated electronic money and payment services, expanding the company’s presence beyond cryptocurrency trading and custody.

The approval represents another step in Bybit’s broader strategy of building regulated financial infrastructure across Europe.

New Payment Services Planned

According to Bybit, the EMI license provides the legal foundation for introducing a range of payment products in the future.

These services may include person-to-person (P2P) payments, merchant payment solutions, open banking capabilities and payment card products.

The company said these offerings will be integrated into Bybit.eu, complementing its existing cryptocurrency services while expanding the platform into broader digital financial services.

Separate Entities for Crypto and Payments

Bybit said its European operations will continue to be divided between two regulated Austrian entities.

Bybit EU GmbH, which received authorization under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework in May 2025, remains responsible for cryptocurrency-related services including digital asset custody, exchange, transfers and placement.

Meanwhile, Bybit Payments GmbH will oversee regulated electronic money products and payment services introduced under the newly obtained EMI license.

The company emphasized that both entities will operate under separate regulatory permissions while serving complementary functions.

Services Available Across Most of Europe

Bybit.eu currently provides services throughout much of the European Economic Area (EEA).

The company noted that Malta remains excluded from its current service coverage because applicable MiCA passporting requirements have not yet been completed for that jurisdiction.

Bybit stated that its services are available only in markets where all required regulatory approvals have been obtained.

Reducing Dependence on Third-Party Providers

The exchange said obtaining its own payment license will strengthen relationships with banks, payment processors and enterprise clients.

By controlling more of its payment infrastructure internally, Bybit expects to reduce reliance on external payment providers while improving the efficiency and flexibility of its European financial services.

The move reflects a broader trend among major cryptocurrency platforms seeking direct regulatory approval to offer integrated banking, payments and digital asset services under a single ecosystem.

Outlook

Bybit’s Austrian electronic money license further strengthens its regulated presence in Europe as cryptocurrency firms continue expanding beyond trading into payments and digital financial services. By combining MiCA-authorized crypto operations with licensed payment infrastructure, Bybit is positioning itself to offer a broader suite of financial products while supporting the continued integration of digital assets into Europe’s regulated financial system.