OKX Secures Malta PI License to Expand EU Stablecoin Payments

OKX gains Malta Payment Institution license, enabling compliant stablecoin payments, aligning services with MiCA and PSD2 regulations across European markets.

Cryptocurrency exchange OKX has strengthened its European regulatory presence with a significant approval. The company obtained a Payment Institution license in Malta in support of compliant stablecoin payment services.

Regulatory Approval Expands Stablecoin Payment Operations

Under the European Union payments framework, the authorization introduces clarity of operational compliance standards. Moreover, the license gets OKX ready for new Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation and Second Payment Services Directive requirements coming in March 2026. Therefore, OKX is legally able to expand regulated stablecoin payment products into several European markets.

According to MiCA rules, stablecoins fall under the category of electronic money tokens, which are known as EMTs. In addition, providers offering payment features should be required to seek PI or EMI regulatory authorization. As a result, OKX meets mandatory compliance requirements for the processing of stablecoin transactions.

Related Reading: OKX Launches Crypto Payment Cards in Europe | Live Bitcoin News

Furthermore, the approval offers a compliant basis to expand OKX Pay services on a regional basis. It also facilitates the planned roll-out of the OKX Card in the EEA. Currently, the European Economic Area has 30 member states for passported financial services.

Importantly, OKX stressed that the license made it possible fully regulate stablecoin payment activities. Meanwhile, the company highlighted cross-border transfers, settlements, and digital commerce benefits. Such clarity, therefore, reduces uncertainty for users, merchants, and institutional partners alike.

However, regulatory compliance will still be of paramount importance as Europe tightens its grip on digital asset services. As a result, exchanges are increasingly seeking licenses to ensure operational continuity and consumer confidence. Therefore, the approval of OKX represents a general trend of structured financial supervision in the industry.

In addition, Malta is continuing to attract crypto companies looking for predictable, transparent, and innovation-friendly regulatory environments. This positioning, in the meantime, benefits Malta’s prominence as a major European digital asset center.

OKX Builds on Earlier European Licenses and Partnerships

Previously, OKX obtained license authorization from the Malta Financial Services Authority as an MiCA in January 2025. That authorization allowed for passporting of crypto exchange services among all member states of the European Union. Some services were spot trading, automated strategies, and regionally compliant digital asset operations.

Subsequently, OKX developed institutional offering capabilities by purchasing a MiFID II regulated entity in Europe. This acquisition provided support for professional investors’ access to compliant derivatives in several different regulated jurisdictions. Together, these approvals helped to build OKX’s credibility with regulators, partners, and financial institutions.

Moreover, OKX went for payment innovation by collaborating with the global payment company Mastercard. The collaboration launched a crypto-associated payment card that would convert stablecoins straight into euros on the fly.

Accordingly, analysts consider the Malta PI license to be of strategic importance for OKX’s growth in the European region. Furthermore, the approval provides operational certainty in a changing regulatory environment.

Significantly, this is that Europe is a market of over 400 million people andis experiencing increasing digital payment adoption. As a result, regulated stablecoin payment services may have an appeal to merchants, fintech companies, and technology providers.

Finally, regulatory transparency is needed to ensure long-term stability, trust, and responsible innovation worldwide. 

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