TLDR
OKX has secured a Payment Institution license in Malta to expand its stablecoin and crypto card services in the EU.
The license ensures OKX’s compliance with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation and the Second Payment Services Directive.
The authorization allows OKX to offer stablecoin payment solutions like OKX Pay and the OKX Card across 28 EEA countries.
OKX recently launched its crypto payment card in partnership with Mastercard, supporting stablecoins like USDC and USDG.
The company has built a solid regulatory framework with licenses in MiCA, MiFID II, and PI, all based in Malta.
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OKX has secured a Payment Institution (PI) license in Malta, complying with the upcoming EU regulations. This development allows the exchange to continue offering stablecoin payment services in the region. The new license ensures full compliance with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation and the Second Payment Services Directive (PSD2).
The PI license will enable OKX to operate its recently launched stablecoin-related payment products across the European Union. This move is a crucial step ahead of the EU’s updated regulations taking effect in March 2026. OKX’s CEO of Europe, Erald Ghoos, emphasized that the company’s products are now fully compliant with EU laws.
OKX Obtains Key License for Stablecoin Payments in the EU
OKX’s recent acquisition of the PI license in Malta is pivotal for its expansion of stablecoin-based payment services. The license aligns with the European Union’s updated regulations, which require crypto firms to hold such authorizations for stablecoin payments. Stablecoins are classified as electronic money tokens (EMTs), necessitating a PI or Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license for crypto firms dealing with these payment methods.
With the new PI license, OKX is now legally equipped to offer stablecoin payment services like OKX Pay and the OKX Card. These products are now fully compliant with the MiCA regulation and the PSD2 framework. OKX has expressed its commitment to supporting the integration of stablecoins into mainstream finance, ensuring secure and compliant transactions.
OKX Expands Crypto Payment Card Services with Regulatory Clarity
The Malta PI license directly impacts OKX’s recent product launches, including the OKX Card. This crypto payment card, launched in late January, allows users to spend stablecoins like USDC and USDG at over 150 million merchants globally. It marks a key expansion in OKX’s services, ensuring customers can use stablecoins seamlessly for everyday transactions.
The OKX Card’s support for stablecoins like Circle’s USDC and Paxos-issued USDG also demonstrates OKX’s growing influence in the crypto payment space. The exchange has teamed up with Mastercard to provide global spending power through the card. This partnership further solidifies OKX’s position in the crypto payments sector.
OKX’s broader payment tool, OKX Pay, also falls under the scope of the newly obtained PI license. The company continues to innovate by introducing real-world payment solutions that drive the adoption of stablecoins. OKX’s expanding regulatory compliance framework positions the company as a leader in crypto-based financial products.
