Bybit Secures Austrian EMI License for European Expansion

Bybit Payments GmbH has been granted an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license by Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA), a move that allows the firm to offer regulated payment and e-money services across Europe [1]. This regulatory milestone complements the existing MiCAR authorization held by Bybit EU GmbH, creating a dual-entity structure designed to bridge the gap between digital asset trading and traditional financial services [2].

Regulatory structure and service integration

The new EMI license provides the legal framework for Bybit to develop payment capabilities that were previously unavailable on its European platform [3]. While Bybit EU GmbH continues to operate as the authorized provider for crypto-asset services—including custody, exchange, and transfer—Bybit Payments GmbH will handle the fiat-based side of the business [1]. According to the company, maintaining a strict separation between these two entities is a fundamental requirement for compliance with European regulatory standards [2].

Bybit stated that the integration of these two licenses will eventually allow for a more seamless user experience, potentially including person-to-person payments, open-banking functionality, and merchant payment solutions [1]. The firm also noted that the EMI license is expected to reduce its reliance on third-party payment infrastructure by enabling the development of direct strategic relationships with financial institutions and enterprise partners [3].

Future product rollout

While the license is now active, the company has not yet provided concrete dates for the launch of these new payment features [1]. Management indicated that the rollout will occur in phases, with further details regarding specific products and geographic availability to be communicated in the near future [2]. The platform currently serves customers across the European Economic Area, with the notable exception of Malta [1].

What to watch

• Product Launch Timeline: Monitor for specific dates regarding the introduction of e-money services, card initiatives, or open-banking features on the Bybit.eu platform [1].
• Operational Integration: Watch for how the firm manages the transition from third-party payment providers to its own internal infrastructure as it builds out its enterprise partner network [3].
• Regulatory Compliance: Observe any further updates regarding the operational boundaries between Bybit EU GmbH and Bybit Payments GmbH as the platform scales its integrated service offerings [2].

The significance of this development lies in Bybit’s attempt to move beyond a pure-play crypto exchange model toward a broader financial services platform within the European regulatory perimeter. Whether the firm can successfully leverage these dual licenses to gain market share from traditional fintech competitors remains the primary open question for its European expansion strategy.