Standard Chartered has secured authorisation under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime alongside an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) approval.

The milestones provide the bank with a regulated entry point to offer digital asset custody services across the region from its base in Luxembourg.

The authorisations allow the bank to operate within the European regulatory framework for digital assets.

Standard Chartered intends to introduce these services in phases, using its Luxembourg entity as the central hub for its European operations.

The EMI approval permits the issuance of electronic money and related payment services. This complementary status operates alongside the bank’s digital asset operations to support a broader suite of services for institutional clients.

The regulatory milestones follow the establishment of Standard Chartered’s Luxembourg entity in 2025.

Standard Chartered plans to use passporting rules under the MiCA framework, which allow a firm authorised in one member state to provide services in others without requiring additional national approvals.

“Securing our MiCA and EMI licenses is a key step in progressing our digital asset journey in Europe,”

said Margaret Harwood-Jones, CEO at Standard Chartered Europe and UK.

She noted that the bank is prepared to support clients as institutional interest in the digital asset sector grows.

Laurent Marochini, CEO, Standard Chartered Luxembourg added:

“We are delighted to have obtained our MiCA and EMI licenses, which enables us to progressively expand services to clients across Europe.”

The European authorisations build on Standard Chartered’s previous rollouts of digital asset custody services in Asia and the Middle East.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by vykhopentaras via Magnific