Ripple Secures MiCA Approval, Expands Regulated Crypto Services Across Europe
Ripple has achieved another major regulatory milestone in Europe after its subsidiary, Ripple Payments Europe SA, was added to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) register under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.
The approval allows Ripple to offer regulated crypto-related services across 29 countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). Combined with its existing electronic money institution license in Luxembourg, Ripple can now provide crypto payment and stablecoin services to banks, fintech firms, and businesses throughout the region.
ESMA’s latest update added 15 new companies to its MiCA register, including Ripple Payments Europe, bringing the total number of authorized Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs) to 294. Other newly approved firms include Portugal’s Bison Bank, Croatia’s state-owned Hrvatska poštanska banka, and Liechtenstein-based Kaiser Partner Privatbank, highlighting growing participation from traditional financial institutions.
Under MiCA rules, companies that obtain authorization in one EU member state can use passporting rights to operate across participating European markets without needing separate licenses in each country. This creates a unified regulatory framework for crypto businesses throughout the bloc.
Ripple stated that its European clients can use a single integration to collect funds, exchange assets, and process payments. Depending on customer requirements, services may utilize XRP, the XRP Ledger, or Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin.
The approval comes during a critical phase of MiCA implementation. With the transition period ending on July 1, companies that failed to obtain authorization must cease regulated crypto activities in the EU. Regulators are now closely monitoring customer migrations from unlicensed firms to authorized providers.
Bruna Szego, Chair of the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), warned that licensed providers could face operational challenges as they onboard large numbers of new customers while maintaining strict compliance standards. She emphasized the importance of preserving effective identity verification, transaction monitoring, and anti-money laundering controls.
For Ripple, the new authorization strengthens its position in the European market and supports its strategy of expanding regulated crypto payment infrastructure globally.
