Strike, a Bitcoin-focused financial services company, announced a significant compliance milestone: its European operating entity, Zap (Strike) Europe Limited, has been approved by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) as a crypto-asset service provider under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.
Event Details
The MiCA license grants Strike the authority to conduct cross-border Bitcoin-related financial services across all 27 EU member states. Under a harmonized regulatory framework, Strike can offer compliant services including Bitcoin trading, custody, and payment solutions to EU users. The license was issued by the MFSA under the MiCA framework, which provides passporting rights throughout the European Union.
Regulatory Implications
MiCA, which came into effect in 2024, is the EU's comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto-asset markets. It establishes a unified licensing system for crypto-asset service providers, enabling licensed firms to operate across all 27 member states under a single authorization. Strike's approval underscores MiCA's support for compliant enterprises and highlights the accelerating regulatory compliance trend for Bitcoin financial services in Europe.
Founded by Jack Mallers in 2020, Strike is a pioneer in Bitcoin Lightning Network payments and banking. The company has previously launched Bitcoin banking services in the United States and El Salvador. With the EU MiCA license, Strike is well-positioned to establish a compliance bridgehead in one of the world's largest single markets—the 27 EU member states—furthering the mainstream adoption of Bitcoin payments and financial services.