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Bybit Payments GmbH obtains an Austrian Electronic Money Institution licence, enabling regulated e‑money and payment offerings across the EU via Bybit.eu.
Bybit Payments GmbH received an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence from Austria’s Financial Market Authority on Tuesday, giving the crypto exchange a regulated foothold to launch payment products throughout the European Economic Area [1].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Licence | Austrian EMI licence (FMA) |
| Effective date | Tuesday (announcement) |
| Service scope | Regulated e‑money, person‑to‑person, merchant, open‑banking, card products |
| Regulatory split | Bybit Payments = EMI; Bybit EU = MiCA crypto services |
The licence authorises Bybit Payments GmbH to provide electronic‑money and payment services on the Bybit.eu platform, while crypto‑asset services remain under the separate Bybit EU GmbH, which holds a MiCA authorisation since May 2025 [2]. Both entities will operate under distinct regulatory permissions but share a single user interface, offering a “unified experience” without blurring compliance boundaries [1]. By keeping the two businesses legally separate, Bybit aims to satisfy European rules that require clear segregation of payment and crypto activities [3].
The EMI approval creates a legal basis for Bybit to introduce a suite of payment solutions, including peer‑to‑peer transfers, merchant acceptance, open‑banking APIs, Strong Customer Authentication, and eventually payment cards [4]. Bybit says the new regulatory foundation will help it deepen relationships with banks, payment providers, and enterprises, reducing reliance on third‑party payment infrastructure [2]. The expansion complements Bybit’s earlier MiCA authorisation, which already permits crypto custody, exchange, and transfer services across the EEA, except Malta [2].
Bybit’s dual‑licence model illustrates how crypto platforms can embed traditional payment services within a compliant framework, potentially setting a template for other exchanges seeking to bridge digital assets and everyday finance in Europe. The next steps will reveal whether the regulatory split can deliver the promised integrated user experience without friction.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 4 outlets · Aug 5, 2026 · How we report
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