OKX Secures EU Payments License Ahead of March 2026 MiCA Deadline
On February 16, 2026, cryptocurrency exchange OKX announced it had obtained a Payment Institution (PI) license in Malta. This regulatory approval brings the firm into compliance with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation and the Second Payment Services Directive (PSD2) before they take full effect in March. Under the updated framework, any crypto-asset provider engaging in payments with stablecoins, which are legally defined as electronic money tokens (EMTs), must hold either a PI or an electronic money institution (EMI) authorization. This positions OKX to operate its European services without interruption.
License Underpins European Rollout of OKX Card
The acquisition of the Maltese license is a direct strategic pillar for OKX's product expansion in Europe. The company recently launched its OKX Card in partnership with Mastercard and is focused on growing its OKX Pay service. These products are designed to integrate stablecoins into everyday financial transactions. The license ensures these offerings can scale across the EU on a compliant foundation. Further signaling its commitment, OKX Ventures, the firm's investment arm, recently backed stablecoin issuance platform STBL.
We have recently launched real-world payment products, including OKX Pay and our OKX Card, that bring stablecoins into everyday use. Securing a Payment Institution license ensures that these products operate on a fully compliant footing.
— Erald Ghoos, CEO of OKX Europe.
