Paybis, a leading global cryptocurrency platform, has achieved a significant regulatory milestone by obtaining both a MiCA cryptocurrency license and a PSD2 payment institution license from Latvia’s central bank. This dual approval makes Paybis the first company in Latvia to hold both authorizations at the same time, marking a major step forward in its European Union expansion strategy.
The licenses were officially granted to the company’s EU subsidiary, SIA Paybis Europe, by the Supervision Committee of Latvijas Banka on May 12, 2026. According to the central bank, Paybis is now the third entity in Latvia to receive a MiCA Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license. This achievement comes at a crucial time as the European crypto industry continues to mature under unified regulatory frameworks.
Understanding the Dual Licenses
The MiCA license provides Paybis with comprehensive authorization to offer a wide array of crypto-related services. These include the custody and administration of crypto assets on behalf of clients, the exchange of crypto-assets for fiat currencies or other cryptocurrencies, the execution of client orders, transfer services for crypto assets, and professional advisory services related to crypto investments.
Complementing this, the PSD2 payment institution license allows Paybis to execute payment transactions and facilitate transfers to and from payment accounts within the EU’s regulated financial system. Together, these two licenses create a powerful combination that bridges traditional finance with the decentralized crypto economy.
Paybis CEO and co-founder Innokenty Isers highlighted the strategic importance of this dual licensing. “Securing both MiCA and PSD2 authorizations enables us to build a broad, future-focused service offering,” he said. “This includes enhanced capabilities for working with stablecoins and delivering seamless experiences to our users across Europe.”
Strategic Focus on B2B Crypto Infrastructure
With these new licenses in place, Paybis is accelerating its push into the business-to-business (B2B) segment. Konstantins Vasilenko, co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer, shared insights on the company’s ambitious plans in an interview with Cointelegraph.
“We are targeting business clients with a complete white-label crypto infrastructure stack,” Vasilenko explained. “This includes on- and off-ramps, buy/sell/swap functionality, payment acceptance solutions, and stablecoin payouts — all integrated through a single, easy-to-use API.”
This approach allows partner companies — such as fintech platforms, e-commerce websites, payment processors, and traditional financial institutions — to integrate cryptocurrency services quickly and compliantly. Businesses can now offer crypto features to their own customers without the heavy burden of obtaining their own regulatory licenses or building complex infrastructure from scratch.
“The combination of MiCA CASP authorization and PSD2 licensing is particularly powerful. It seamlessly connects crypto asset services with regulated payment rails, creating a complete end-to-end solution for businesses operating in Europe,”
— Konstantins Vasilenko, Co-founder & CBDO, Paybis
Industry analysts view this move as timely. As more traditional companies explore cryptocurrency integration, demand for reliable, fully licensed white-label solutions is growing rapidly. Paybis’s dual licensing positions it strongly to capture a significant share of this expanding B2B market.
Company Background and Global Reach
Founded in 2014, Paybis has grown into a well-established player in the cryptocurrency sector. The platform currently supports trading and services for 90 different cryptocurrencies and boasts a user base of more than seven million customers spread across 180 countries worldwide.
In addition to its new EU licenses, Paybis maintains Money Services Business (MSB) licenses in the United States and Canada, demonstrating its commitment to regulatory compliance across major markets. This global footprint, combined with strong European regulatory standing, gives Paybis a competitive edge in serving both retail and institutional clients.
The Broader MiCA Regulatory Landscape
Paybis’s achievement occurs against the backdrop of evolving EU crypto regulations. MiCA, the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, represents the EU’s landmark attempt to create a unified framework for crypto assets across all member states. Since its full implementation, MiCA has provided much-needed legal clarity for crypto businesses while aiming to protect consumers and maintain financial stability.
In April 2026, a senior adviser to the European Commission noted that MiCA is expected to continue evolving. The Commission is preparing a public consultation to gather feedback from market participants on how the regulation is performing in practice. Speaking at Paris Blockchain Week 2026, Peter Kerstens remarked that the emergence of a future “MiCA 2” would be a natural progression, as most major EU financial regulations develop through iterative updates over time.
Current discussions within the industry include debates over specific rules for euro-denominated stablecoins, threshold requirements, and whether oversight of the largest crypto firms should be centralized under the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Stablecoin issuer Circle has been particularly vocal about certain proposed restrictions on euro stablecoins.
Despite these ongoing debates, Paybis’s successful licensing demonstrates that proactive compliance and engagement with regulators can open substantial opportunities within the EU single market.
Implications for the European Crypto Market
This dual licensing is expected to accelerate Paybis’s growth in Europe. By combining crypto services with traditional payment capabilities under one regulated entity, the company can offer more efficient on-ramps and off-ramps, faster settlements, and improved user experiences. It also strengthens Paybis’s ability to partner with banks and established financial institutions that require partners with full regulatory credentials.
For the wider crypto ecosystem, milestones like this help build confidence among institutional players and traditional businesses hesitant to enter the space. As more companies achieve full MiCA compliance, the European crypto market is likely to see increased innovation, better consumer protection, and healthier competition.
Paybis’s expansion also highlights Latvia’s growing role as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction within the EU. The country’s central bank has shown willingness to process applications efficiently while maintaining high regulatory standards, making it an attractive base for crypto businesses targeting the broader European market.