TL;DR
- OKX secures a Payment Institution license in Malta, aligning its operations with EU rules under MiCA and PSD2.
- The approval allows the exchange to expand stablecoin-based payment services, including OKX Pay and the OKX Card, across member states.
- The move strengthens regulated crypto payment infrastructure in Europe as authorities advance oversight of electronic money tokens.
OKX wins EU Payments License in Malta, reinforcing its expansion into regulated stablecoin payments and crypto-linked cards throughout the European Union. The authorization places the exchange within the scope of the bloc’s updated financial framework, which tightens oversight on digital asset firms offering payment services tied to stablecoins.
The New Money Unlocked 📢
OKX has secured a Payments Institution license in Malta.
Fully compliant under MiCA and PSD2, we’re building the next phase of stablecoin payments in the EU.
Read our CEO @star_okx's vision behind this milestone:https://t.co/ZQv14Em5uq pic.twitter.com/mKReanHkgJ
— OKX (@okx) February 16, 2026
The license arrives as the EU implements core provisions under the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation and the revised Payment Services Directive. Both frameworks require crypto firms handling stablecoin payments, legally categorized as electronic money tokens, to hold either a Payment Institution or Electronic Money Institution authorization.
OKX Wins EU Payments License Under MiCA And PSD2 Framework
The Payment Institution license enables OKX to provide a broad range of payment services across the EU. These include executing credit transfers, processing card payments, managing direct debits, and maintaining payment accounts in compliance with PSD2 standards.
OKX had already obtained a MiCA license in early 2025, positioning the exchange among the first major platforms to adapt to the bloc’s unified crypto regime. With the new authorization, its stablecoin payment operations function within a regulated structure as enforcement deadlines approach in 2026.
European authorities classify stablecoins used for payments as electronic money tokens, subjecting issuers and service providers to stricter capital, governance, and transparency requirements. By securing the Payment Institution license, OKX aligns its consumer payment tools with these standards while maintaining passporting rights across EU member states.
Stablecoin Payments And Crypto Card Expansion Across Europe
The approval supports products such as OKX Pay and the OKX Card, launched in partnership with Mastercard. The card allows users to spend digital assets, including regulated stablecoins like USDC, at merchants that accept traditional card networks.
Company executives argue that regulatory clarity in Europe supports innovation within defined legal parameters. Industry data shows stablecoin settlement volumes surpass $10 trillion annually, reflecting growing demand for blockchain-based payment infrastructure operating 24 hours a day.
As eurozone policymakers examine euro-denominated stablecoins to strengthen the currency’s international role, exchanges that meet compliance standards may secure a structural advantage. For OKX, the Maltese authorization consolidates its European footprint and demonstrates that crypto-native firms can integrate with established financial systems while adhering to regulatory requirements.
