If the rumours are true, one of the largest bitcoin exchanges in the world is on the point of receiving a licence from Luxembourg authorities, which would allow it to operate across the whole EU.

Bitstamp has probably secured a payment institution (PI) or electronic money institution (EMI) licence in Luxembourg, reports Coindesk drawing from unnamed sources. When signed by the regulator of the Grand Duchy, it would make Bitstamp “the first regulated and licensed bitcoin exchange for all 28 countries in the EU.”

When contacted by journalists, representatives both of Bitstamp and of the Luxembourg Trade & Investment Office declined any comments.

Founded in 2013 in Slovenia, Bitstamp now has its head office in the UK with two branches in the US and Luxembourg. The company offers its customers bitcoin trading and gold buying services.

According to the Bitcoin Charts, Bitstamp is at present the fourth largest bitcoin exchange by the amount of traded dollars. It does not currently trade in euros but this can change once the licence is obtained.

Two weeks ago, Circle, a major American bitcoin and blockchain wallet and payment provider, was granted an electronic money licence from the British Financial Conduct Authority allowing it to introduce bitcoin-fuelled transfers between dollars and British pounds. A partnership with the Barclays bank made possible by the licence gave Circle access to the infrastructure needed to store British pounds and to connect to any bank account in the United Kingdom.

As the British e-money licence is valid in all 28 EU countries, the company plans to enable transfers between bitcoins, dollars and euros as well.

Alexey Tereshchenko