In a significant move that highlights the evolving landscape of crypto regulation in Europe, Zerohash, a prominent provider of crypto infrastructure, has secured licensing under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). This milestone positions Zerohash as one of the first infrastructure companies authorized to offer stablecoin services across the European Union, signaling a noteworthy step toward mainstream integration of blockchain-based financial products.

Zerohash receives EU licensing under MiCA, enabling stablecoin services across Europe.
The license was granted by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
Zerohash’s European arm becomes a registered crypto-asset service provider (CASP).
The approval arrives ahead of reports that Mastercard is eyeing a $2 billion acquisition of Zerohash.
This development underscores increased institutional interest in stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure.

Founded in 2017, Zerohash offers critical infrastructure solutions to major institutions like Morgan Stanley, Franklin Templeton, and Stripe. The company’s recent MiCA license approval enables it to serve banking institutions, fintech firms, and payment platforms throughout the 30 countries within the European Economic Area (EEA). The Dutch AFM’s registry officially confirms Zerohash’s status as a registered crypto-asset service provider (CASP), opening new avenues for blockchain-based financial services in the region.

The licensing allows Zerohash’s European operations to act as a backbone for organizations exploring tokenized assets, stablecoins, and other innovative blockchain financial products. The move reflects broader industry trends toward regulatory clarity for stablecoins, which are increasingly seen as vital building blocks in the evolving DeFi and crypto markets.

While Zerohash has yet to comment publicly on the licensing, its recent progress coincides with significant developments involving Mastercard. Reports indicate that Mastercard is in advanced negotiations to acquire Zerohash in a deal valued between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. The potential acquisition underscores the company’s strategic importance in the expanding global stablecoin and crypto infrastructure ecosystem.

Earlier this year, Mastercard announced initiatives to facilitate USDC and Euro Coin (EURC) settlements across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA), marking the first stablecoin settlement solutions available in the region. Additionally, in September, Kazakhstan’s central bank joined forces with Mastercard and Solana to pilot a stablecoin pegged to the Kazakh tenge, part of the country’s efforts to develop digital asset regulation and blockchain adoption.

As the crypto markets evolve and regulators establish clearer frameworks, Zerohash’s EU license and potential acquisition highlight how traditional financial giants are positioning themselves within the blockchain and stablecoin space for future growth.