One of the world’s largest bitcoin exchanges is reportedly close to announcing a new deal with the Luxembourg government that would enable it to launch regulated and licensed services across Europe.
According to sources, Bitstamp may have secured a payment institution (PI) or electronic money institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg regulators, a move that the company has reportedly said would allow it to become "the first regulated and licensed bitcoin exchange for all 28 countries in the EU".
Founded in 2013 and originally based in Slovenia, Bitstamp has long been one of Europe’s largest bitcoin startups, offering bitcoin trading and gold buying services to investors. The company is registered in the UK, the US and Luxembourg, where its Bitstamp Europe SA entity is based.
Such a move would come nearly two years after Luxembourg first opened dialogue with the industry, and weeks after blockchain-based payment app provider Circle received an e-money license in the UK.
Bitstamp is currently the fourth largest exchange by total US dollar trading volume, according to data from Bitcoin Charts, behind Bitfinex, BTC-e and Coinbase. The exchange saw just shy of 4,000 BTC traded in the last 24 hours, representing $1.6m in trades. Notably, it does not yet offer EUR trading.
A representative of the Luxembourg Trade & Investment Office declined to comment but said an announcement on the government’s work with the industry could be forthcoming.
Bitstamp executives offered no comment when reached.
Image credit: Christian Mueller / Shutterstock.com