On July 4, 2026, Standard Chartered announced it had secured both the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) authorization and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). The London-headquartered bank can now legally offer crypto custody, e-money issuance, and payment services across the European Union.
From Asia to Europe: Standard Chartered’s Crypto Expansion
The bank described the dual licenses as a major milestone for its European digital asset operations. The EMI license allows issuance of electronic money and payment services, complementing its crypto activities. Standard Chartered said the move addresses rising client demand in Europe and supports broader digital asset growth plans.
Notably, the bank already runs digital asset custody services in Asia and the Middle East. Adding the European approval completes a global compliance network. With a strong corporate banking footprint across multiple markets, Standard Chartered is now positioned to compete more effectively in Europe’s regulated crypto sector.
New Entrants: FalconX, Sygnum Europe, and More
ESMA’s updated registry includes several crypto-native firms alongside Standard Chartered. Among them are FalconX, Sygnum Europe, Ronin EM, and CACEIS (a Crédit Agricole subsidiary) which obtained an EMI license. These additions expand the EU’s compliant crypto service provider pool.
By country, Cyprus, France, Italy, and Malta each added six new MiCA approvals, tying for the lead. The Czech Republic and Spain added four each; Luxembourg three; the Netherlands two; while Germany, Liechtenstein, and Latvia each registered one. Cyprus now counts 21 authorized Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs). However, Germany’s BaFin remains the top regulator with 58 MiCA authorizations in total.
No Movement on Asset-Referenced Tokens
Despite growth in licensed crypto firms, ESMA noted no changes to the register for asset-referenced token (ART) issuers. There are still no registered ART issuers. The list of non-compliant companies also remains unchanged at 162 entities. The regulator stressed that while compliance momentum accelerates, certain niche segments remain in a waiting period.
Overall, Standard Chartered’s dual license marks a significant step for traditional banking in crypto. The EU’s MiCA framework is increasingly drawing mainstream banks and crypto firms into the region, with Germany’s BaFin acting as the dominant licensing authority.