BCB Group, a global digital financial services firm, has secured authorization from the French Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR) and Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) to operate as an E-Money Institution (EMI) and Digital Assets Services Provider (DASP). The approval was granted late last month.
According to a press release by BCB Group, the authorization from ACPR and AMF came on the heels of Jérôme Prigent’s appointment as MD of BCB Europe. Prigent is tasked with leading business development in Europe and implementing BCB Group’s European expansion strategy. The company noted that this authorization will enable it to enhance its institutional product offerings within the European Economic Area (EEA), while also promoting collaboration with virtual asset service providers, traditional financial institutions, and other market participants.
Prigent said in the press release, “As BCB Group prepares for MiCA [Markets in Crypto-Assets] regulation to come into force, obtaining the EMI and DASP license in France is a further milestone for BCB Group. It enables us to continue expanding our product offering while maintaining a seamless operational and trading experience and remaining committed to exceptional client service in line with our operations in the UK. This is an entry gate to Europe and opens up our strategy for the rest of the world.”
The press release also highlighted that with this authorization, clients of BCB Group can now access EUR e-money wallets with instant SEPA connectivity, virtual IBANS, crypto accounts, crypto and FX trading, as well as custody products.
“This is a game changer for BCB Group,” said Oliver Tonkin, CEO of BCB Group. “It allows us to expand our footprint into the EEA for the first time since Brexit. We have been very impressed with our engagement with the French regulators and we look forward to integrating ourselves into the burgeoning blockchain ecosystem in France.”
