Ripple has just obtained the key coveted by nearly every crypto firm in Europe: a single license valid across 29 countries at once. Ripple Payments Europe SA was officially added to the list of Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs) registered with ESMA, the European Union’s securities regulator, in its latest update on July 17, 2026.
Ripple joined 14 other firms in the update, bringing the total number of crypto service providers officially registered in ESMA’s database to 294 CASPs. But what makes this authorization valuable is not just being on the list - it is the doors it opens.
How One License Can Reach 29 Countries
This CASP license complements the electronic money institution license Ripple already holds in Luxembourg. The combination of both activates MiCA’s signature ‘passporting’ mechanism: once approved in one member state, services can be offered across all 29 EU countries without having to obtain separate licenses in each jurisdiction.
The impact on business is concrete. Ripple stated that banks, fintechs, and corporate clients need only a single integration to hold funds, exchange assets, and execute payments - including products utilizing XRP, the XRP Ledger, or the RLUSD stablecoin. This authorization follows previous approval in Luxembourg, adding to Ripple’s growing list of regulatory clearances, which also includes the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Traditional Banks Join the Queue as Regulators Sound Alarms
Ripple is not the only one making moves. In the same update, ESMA also added Bison Bank (Portugal), Hrvatska postanska banka (Croatia’s state-owned bank), and Kaiser Partner Privatbank (Liechtenstein) to the register - a sign that traditional banks are now actively pursuing MiCA licenses as well. Payment processor BitPay separately secured a MiCA license from the Dutch regulator.
Yet behind this rush for licenses lies a warning that cannot be overlooked. Bruna Szego, Chair of AMLA, the EU’s anti-money laundering authority, cautioned the European Parliament Committee that firms failing to secure licenses and forced to exit the EU market could trigger a surge in customer withdrawal requests. Licensed providers flooded with migrating customers risk being overwhelmed in maintaining anti-money laundering compliance standards during mass onboarding.
Why This Moment Matters
Licensing activity has actually slowed since MiCA’s 18-month transition period ended on July 1, 2026, even as the registry continues to grow. In that context, Ripple’s move is seen as an effort to solidify its foothold in a market where regulations have just tightened. For users, more officially licensed providers should ideally mean better protection - as long as authorities can ensure rapid growth does not turn into new vulnerabilities. The easy phase of MiCA is over; what remains is the real test.
Reported by crypto.news.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
