Bridge, the stablecoin infrastructure company owned by Stripe, has joined the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets register as an authorized electronic money token issuer.
The Luxembourg-based company’s addition brings the total number of authorized electronic money token issuers under MiCA to 42, according to the latest register update from the European Securities and Markets Authority.
The approval strengthens Bridge’s ability to provide regulated stablecoin and euro payment services across all 27 EU member states and marks another step in Stripe’s broader push into blockchain-based payments.
Bridge Joins the EU MiCA Register
Bridge Building, the Luxembourg-based entity behind Bridge, has officially been added to ESMA’s MiCA register as an authorized electronic money token issuer.
Electronic money tokens, or EMTs, are crypto-assets designed to maintain their value by referencing a single official currency, such as the euro.
Bridge’s registration brings the total number of authorized EMT issuers in the European Union to 42.
The development follows regulatory approvals the company announced in July after receiving authorization from Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier.
Bridge secured both a MiCA crypto-asset service provider authorization and an Electronic Money Institution licence.
Together, the approvals give the company a broader regulatory foundation for providing stablecoin and payment infrastructure throughout the European Union.
Bridge Can Operate Across All 27 EU Countries
One of MiCA’s main advantages for regulated crypto businesses is the ability to operate across the EU under a single authorization framework.
Instead of seeking separate licences in every country, qualifying companies can use their authorization to provide covered services across all 27 member states.
For Bridge, this means businesses using its infrastructure can potentially access regulated stablecoin issuance, euro payments and account services throughout the bloc.
The structure may be particularly attractive to fintech companies that previously had to manage different regulatory requirements in multiple European markets.
Bridge Expands Euro-Backed Stablecoin Services
Bridge said its regulatory approvals would allow businesses to create customized euro-backed stablecoins.
Companies could use these tokens for payments, settlement or internal treasury operations while remaining within the European Union’s regulatory framework.
Bridge also plans to support named virtual IBANs and euro-denominated accounts.
A virtual IBAN allows customers or businesses to receive and identify payments through individualized account details while funds are managed through a broader banking or payment infrastructure.
Combining stablecoins with traditional euro banking tools could allow companies to move between blockchain-based and conventional financial systems more easily.
Businesses Can Use Stablecoins for Cross-Border Payments
Bridge is positioning its technology as an alternative to some traditional cross-border payment processes.
Businesses operating across several countries often rely on correspondent banks and international settlement networks when transferring money between subsidiaries.
These systems can involve multiple intermediaries, longer processing times and additional costs.
Bridge says stablecoin infrastructure could allow companies to move funds between entities more directly.
Fintech companies could also integrate cross-border euro accounts through a single connection rather than developing separate payment infrastructure for each country.
The practical benefits will depend on adoption, liquidity and integration with existing financial institutions.
MiCA Creates a Single Crypto Regulatory Framework
The Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation introduced a common set of rules for cryptocurrency businesses operating across the European Union.
The framework covers areas including stablecoins, crypto exchanges, custodians and other digital asset service providers.
MiCA is intended to improve consumer protection and establish clearer requirements for companies that issue or manage crypto-assets.
For stablecoin issuers, the regulation introduces requirements around reserves, governance, disclosures and regulatory authorization.
The framework has also changed which stablecoins European trading platforms can support.
European Exchanges Have Reduced USDT Access
Following the implementation of MiCA requirements, several large crypto exchanges changed their stablecoin offerings for European customers.
Coinbase, Kraken and Crypto.com removed or restricted trading in Tether’s USDT for affected European users after Tether chose not to seek MiCA authorization.
Binance also introduced changes to certain services involving stablecoins that did not comply with the new framework.
These adjustments have created opportunities for regulated euro-denominated stablecoins and authorized issuers.
Bridge’s entry into the MiCA register places it among companies positioned to provide compliant alternatives as European stablecoin rules become more established.
ESMA Adds Three New German Crypto Service Providers
Bridge was not the only company added in ESMA’s latest register update.
Three German financial institutions were also listed as authorized crypto-asset service providers.
They are:
- Volksbank Die Gestalterbank
- VBU Volksbank im Unterland
- VR-Bank Erding
Their inclusion increased the number of authorized CASPs across the European Union from 321 to 324.
Crypto-asset service providers can include companies offering custody, trading, exchange or other regulated crypto-related services.
The addition of traditional banking institutions also highlights growing interest in digital asset services among established European financial companies.
No New Asset-Referenced Token Issuers Added
ESMA’s update did not include any new approvals for asset-referenced token issuers.
Asset-referenced tokens are designed to maintain their value by referencing multiple assets, commodities, currencies or other financial instruments.
That category is regulated differently from electronic money tokens, which generally reference a single official currency.
The absence of new ART registrations means the relevant section of ESMA’s register remains without approved issuers.
ESMA also made no changes to its list of companies identified as non-compliant.
MiCA Registrations Continue to Increase
European regulators have been updating the MiCA register more frequently as companies complete authorization processes.
The number of approved crypto service providers and stablecoin issuers is expected to continue changing as the industry adjusts to the full regulatory framework.
For businesses, authorization can provide greater legal certainty and make it easier to form partnerships with banks and institutional clients.
However, licences also introduce stricter compliance obligations, including customer verification, anti-money laundering controls and reporting requirements.
Companies must continue meeting these standards after authorization rather than treating registration as a one-time process.
Stripe Acquired Bridge for Around $1.1 Billion
Bridge became part of Stripe through an acquisition valued at approximately $1.1 billion.
The purchase represented one of Stripe’s most significant investments in cryptocurrency infrastructure.
Bridge provides technology that allows companies to issue, hold and move stablecoins while connecting them with existing banking and payment systems.
Since the acquisition, Stripe has continued integrating Bridge into its broader global payments business.
The strategy suggests Stripe sees stablecoins as an important part of the future of cross-border payments rather than a separate experimental product.
Stripe Pushes Further Into Stablecoin Payments
Stripe has increasingly used Bridge’s infrastructure to support blockchain-based payment services.
Stablecoins may offer advantages for businesses that need to send money internationally because transactions can potentially settle faster than traditional cross-border bank transfers.
Companies can also use programmable payment infrastructure to automate settlement, payouts and treasury operations.
Stripe’s existing merchant and developer network gives it a large potential distribution channel for these services.
Bridge’s European regulatory approvals could make it easier for Stripe to offer compliant stablecoin products to businesses operating across the EU.
Visa Partnership Extends Stablecoin Card Programs
Bridge has also been expanding through its partnership with Visa.
In March, Visa announced plans to work with the Stripe-owned company on stablecoin-backed card programs in more than 100 countries by the end of 2026.
The programs are intended to allow businesses to connect stablecoin balances with traditional card payment infrastructure.
This could make it possible for users to hold value in digital assets while spending through Visa-compatible payment networks.
Such products aim to make stablecoins more practical for everyday financial activity without requiring merchants to directly accept blockchain-based payments.
Stablecoin Cards Expand Into Global Markets
Stripe has been developing the banking and regulatory relationships necessary to support its stablecoin card strategy.
Former Stripe head of stablecoin partnerships Connor Fitzgerald said the team helped build relationships with sponsor banks, payment networks and regulators before expanding internationally.
According to Fitzgerald, the initiative grew to more than 100 markets.
He also said the program introduced a stablecoin settlement flow in the United States and increased annualized payment volume from zero to tens of millions of dollars.
These figures illustrate how quickly stablecoin infrastructure is becoming integrated into traditional card and payment systems.
Bridge Supports Business Stablecoin Infrastructure
Bridge’s role extends beyond consumer payments.
Its platform is designed to help fintech companies, developers and enterprises integrate digital dollar or euro payment systems without building their own blockchain infrastructure from scratch.
Potential use cases include:
- Cross-border business payments
- Stablecoin issuance
- Treasury management
- Merchant settlement
- International payroll
- Euro accounts
- Virtual IBANs
- Stablecoin-backed cards
For companies, using a regulated infrastructure provider may reduce some of the compliance and technical complexity involved in creating these services independently.
Stablecoins Become Central to Stripe’s Strategy
Stripe’s continued investment in Bridge indicates that stablecoins have become an important part of the company’s long-term payments strategy.
Traditional cross-border payments can be expensive and slow because transfers may move through several financial institutions.
Stablecoins can potentially settle directly on blockchain networks at any time of day.
However, widespread adoption still depends on regulatory certainty, bank integration, liquidity and reliable conversion between stablecoins and traditional currencies.
Bridge’s MiCA authorization addresses one of those challenges by giving Stripe a regulated foundation for European operations.
Stripe Also Remains Active in Traditional Payments
Stripe continues to expand outside digital assets as well.
A separate report said Stripe and private equity firm Advent International submitted a proposal worth approximately $53 billion to acquire PayPal.
The reported proposal valued PayPal at $60.50 per share and would reportedly give Stripe and Advent equal ownership if completed.
PayPal’s board was said to be reviewing factors including valuation, financing certainty, regulatory issues and execution risks.
The discussions do not guarantee that a transaction will happen.
Potential PayPal Deal Could Combine Stablecoin Platforms
If Stripe were eventually to acquire PayPal, the combination could bring together two major digital payments businesses with growing cryptocurrency operations.
PayPal already offers cryptocurrency-related payment products and operates the PYUSD stablecoin issued by Paxos.
Stripe, through Bridge, is developing stablecoin issuance, settlement and card infrastructure.
Combining those operations could create a large global platform connecting traditional payments with blockchain-based financial services.
However, any transaction of that scale would likely face extensive regulatory and antitrust review.
Regulation Could Become a Competitive Advantage
As stablecoin adoption grows, regulatory authorization may become increasingly important for payment companies.
Businesses are more likely to use stablecoin infrastructure when they understand who regulates the provider, how customer funds are handled and what legal protections apply.
Bridge’s authorization in Luxembourg gives it access to the EU’s passporting system while placing its European operations under the MiCA framework.
This could help Stripe compete with crypto-native stablecoin companies and traditional financial institutions developing similar products.
Europe Becomes a Key Stablecoin Market
MiCA has made Europe one of the largest markets with a comprehensive regulatory framework specifically covering crypto-assets.
The rules may reduce uncertainty for institutional investors and payment companies that were previously cautious about digital assets.
At the same time, stricter authorization requirements may reduce the number of stablecoins and service providers available to European customers.
Companies that successfully obtain licences could benefit as users move toward regulated alternatives.
Bridge’s addition as the 42nd authorized EMT issuer shows that the market is continuing to develop quickly.
Bridge’s Registration Strengthens Stripe’s European Position
Bridge’s entry into the EU MiCA register marks another important step in Stripe’s expansion into regulated stablecoin infrastructure.
Its Luxembourg approvals allow the company to support stablecoin issuance, euro accounts and payment services throughout all 27 European Union countries.
The addition also comes as the number of authorized crypto service providers under MiCA continues to grow, with the latest German registrations bringing the CASP total to 324.
For Stripe, the approval provides a stronger regulatory foundation for combining Bridge’s blockchain infrastructure with its existing global payments network.
As stablecoins become more widely used for payments and settlement, Europe could become one of the most important testing grounds for whether regulated blockchain infrastructure can compete with traditional financial systems.
