Bybit Obtains EMI License in Austria for EU Payment Services

Bybit’s New EMI License in Austria

Bybit has successfully secured an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA), enabling its subsidiary, Bybit Payments GmbH, to provide regulated electronic money and payment services across the European Union.

Details of the License

The FMA granted the EMI license on August 4, 2026. This license allows the company to engage in activities related to electronic money issuance as well as various regulated payment services, including both incoming and outgoing payment transactions.

Operations Structure and Distinction

Bybit Payments GmbH will function independently from Bybit EU GmbH, the entity responsible for the exchange’s crypto-asset services under existing Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) authorization. The structure will facilitate access to both services via Bybit.eu while ensuring each subsidiary adheres to its specific regulatory requirements.

Georg Harer, managing director of Bybit EU GmbH and Bybit Payments GmbH, emphasized that the EMI license establishes a strong regulatory foundation for expanding financial services throughout Europe.

Future Payment Services

With the new EMI license, Bybit plans to potentially introduce additional services such as payment cards, open banking solutions, and merchant payment services, although these offerings remain subject to further regulatory approvals.

Bernhard Krick, managing director of Bybit Payments GmbH, noted, “This license enables Bybit Payments GmbH to build regulated payment capabilities that complement the crypto-asset services.” He stressed the importance of maintaining a clear separation between the two entities due to their distinct regulatory scopes.

Bybit’s Expansion Plans in Europe and Beyond

This development marks another step in Bybit’s broader expansion strategy. Earlier in July, Bybit launched a domestic platform in Indonesia after acquiring a majority stake in a local entity. This new Austrian EMI license adds a regulated entry point for the company as it broadens its reach through locally supervised subsidiaries.

Regulatory Context

It is important to note that this EMI license does not extend Bybit.eu services to customers in the United States. The regulatory framework in Europe is more coordinated under MiCA, contrasting sharply with the fragmented crypto regulations in the US, where companies often face a mix of federal and state-level requirements.