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Bybit gains Austrian EMI licence to add regulated payments in Europe

Bybit gains Austrian EMI licence to add regulated payments in Europe

The licence lets Bybit's Austrian payments arm add e-money and payment services on Bybit.eu alongside crypto services from a separate Bybit entity authorised under MiCAR.

Fact Check
Three independent outlets (CryptoBriefing detailed release, FX News Group, and CryptoBriefing news) all report on August 4, 2026 that Bybit Payments GmbH secured an EMI license from Austria's FMA for regulated e-money and payment services on Bybit.eu, complementing Bybit EU GmbH's MiCAR-authorized crypto business. The details are internally consistent and match the claim precisely, including the distinct-entity/unified-platform structure and the May 2025 MiCAR authorization. No conflicting reports were found. A direct official Bybit newsroom or verified X post was not located, slightly limiting confidence, but the strong multi-source corroboration supports a likely_true assessment.
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Summary

Austria's Financial Market Authority has granted Bybit Payments GmbH an Electronic Money Institution licence, giving the exchange group a regulated route to add e-money and payment services to Bybit.eu in Europe. The platform already carries crypto services from Bybit EU GmbH, a separate Austrian entity authorised under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation since May 2025, and Bybit said the two companies will keep distinct permissions and responsibilities while presenting a more integrated customer experience. The EMI licence provides the regulatory basis for future features that may include person-to-person payments, e-money services, strong customer authentication, open banking functions, merchant payment solutions and card initiatives as they are introduced. Bybit said the licence should also help its payments arm build ties with financial institutions and payment providers while reducing reliance on third-party payment infrastructure over time. Bybit EU GmbH serves the European Economic Area except Malta and is authorised for crypto custody, administration, exchange, placement and transfer services, but it does not operate a crypto trading platform or provide investment advice.

Terms & Concepts
  • EMI licence: Authorisation for an electronic money institution to issue e-money and provide regulated payment services.
  • MiCAR: The European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, which sets licensing and conduct rules for crypto-asset service providers.
  • strong customer authentication: A security requirement that uses multiple verification factors to verify a user's identity when accessing an account or approving a payment.