Lightspark gets first MiCA license in Estonia, paving regulated

Lightspark Payments Europe announced on July 1, 2026 that it received both a Crypto‑Asset Service Provider (CASP) licence under the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation (MiCA) and an electronic‑money institution (EMI) licence from Estonia’s Financial Supervision Authority, making it the first firm in the country to hold a standalone MiCA CASP authorisation【2】. The dual licences give Lightspark a regulated foundation to offer cross‑border crypto‑fiat payouts, virtual IBANs, card issuance and stablecoin services across Europe, a capability it plans to passport throughout the EU and EEA.

Dual licences unlock a regulated crypto‑payments stack

The MiCA CASP authorisation allows Lightspark to provide crypto‑asset custody, trading and card‑issuing services while remaining compliant with the EU’s new crypto‑asset framework. Coupled with the EMI licence, the firm can also issue fiat‑linked virtual IBANs and manage electronic money, effectively merging crypto and traditional payments under one regulatory roof【2】. CEO David Marcus highlighted that the combined licences eliminate the need for partners to obtain separate licences in each market, accelerating go‑to‑market timelines from years to weeks【2】.

Building an open, compliant infrastructure

Lightspark’s recent acquisition of Striga, a VASP‑licensed fintech that already operates in 30 EEA countries, reinforces its regulatory foothold. Striga’s platform processes over $200 million in volume and provides virtual IBAN creation, card issuing and crypto‑fiat ramps, all under a VASP licence that was also the first approved under Estonia’s MiCA‑style regime【3】. The integration gives Lightspark a ready‑made stack to deliver “Grid Global Accounts,” a white‑label solution that lets partners launch branded accounts and Visa cards while retaining transaction economics【2】.

European expansion and open‑system ambition

With the licences in hand, Lightspark intends to passport its authorisations across the EU, offering a unified API for businesses to embed Bitcoin‑backed payments, stablecoin transfers and fiat services. The company positions itself against a trend of closed‑network acquisitions, arguing that an open infrastructure—built on Bitcoin’s neutral protocol—will better serve fintechs and regulated businesses seeking rapid, compliant expansion【2】. The regulatory foundation, banking relationships and card‑program certifications are described as “years‑long” assets that compound as Lightspark enters new markets【2】.

What to watch

• Regulatory passporting – Progress on extending the MiCA and EMI licences to other EU member states.
• Grid Global Accounts rollout – Launch timeline for the white‑label account and Visa card product slated for 2026.
• Further acquisitions or partnerships – Moves that could broaden Lightspark’s compliance stack or geographic reach.

Lightspark’s dual licensing marks a concrete step toward a regulated, open‑system for crypto payments in Europe, testing whether a unified compliance framework can scale across the fragmented EU market while keeping Bitcoin at the core of everyday financial flows.