Bridge Building, the Luxembourg entity of global payment company Stripe, has officially registered under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) registry after obtaining local regulatory approval. The entry of this entity brings the number of licensed electronic money token (EMT) issuers in the region to 42.
This development is not just the addition of a single name, but a reflection of institutional adoption that now has a legal foundation.
Not Just Crypto Entities
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) appears busy releasing data updates. In recent weeks, the updates to the MiCA register have become more frequent, with several registrations completed throughout July 2026. Currently, the total number of Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs) on the EU list has reached 324 institutions.
These new additions do not only come from pure crypto firms, but also from conventional banks. Aside from Bridge, the registry recently welcomed three German players: Volksbank Die Gestalterbank, VBU Volksbank im Unterland, and VR-Bank Erding.
For Bridge, their status at the European level is a continuation of their local licensing. On July 2, 2026, Bridge received both a CASP authorization and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg’s financial regulator, CSSF. Bridge’s Head of Product, Mai Leduc Blount, stated that this license allows businesses in Europe to begin designing payment products and stablecoins within a clear regulatory framework.
Despite the surge in the EMT and CASP categories, other sections of ESMA’s documents seem stagnant. There are no changes yet to the list of asset-referenced token (ART) issuers. The list of non-compliant companies also remains unchanged.
One Moving Forward, One Stalled
The decision by Stripe, a major player in the traditional financial sector, to bring Bridge into this licensed crypto framework marks a shift in stablecoin utility. Institutions are no longer waiting on the sidelines but are starting to build infrastructure in high-compliance regions.
The situation in Europe presents a sharp contrast to the dynamics in the United States. While the MiCA framework is already processing hundreds of registrants, the CLARITY bill in the US remains stalled in debates without clear direction. The ecosystem is beginning to read the map: industry players and product development are gradually prioritizing regions where the rules are already tangible, rather than just conceptual drafts.
Reported by Cointelegraph.
Read also: What Is DeFi (Decentralized Finance)?
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.
