MoonPay, a prominent cryptocurrency payment company, has achieved a significant milestone by securing the coveted BitLicense and a money transmitter license from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). This approval grants MoonPay the authority to operate across all 50 U.S. states, solidifying its position in the highly regulated American crypto market.
Key Takeaways
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MoonPay secured the New York BitLicense and money transmitter license on June 4, 2025.
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This approval allows MoonPay to operate across all 50 U.S. states.
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MoonPay joins an exclusive group of approximately 35 companies holding the BitLicense.
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The company has also established its new U.S. headquarters in New York City.
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This regulatory milestone positions MoonPay as a key player in the U.S. cryptocurrency landscape.
MoonPay's Regulatory Triumph
On June 4, 2025, MoonPay announced its successful acquisition of the BitLicense and money transmitter license from the NYDFS. This achievement culminates a multi-year effort to navigate the complex regulatory landscape governing digital assets in the United States. The BitLicense, established in 2015, is renowned for its stringent requirements concerning consumer protection, cybersecurity, and anti-money laundering practices. Only a select group of approximately 35 companies have managed to obtain this license, placing MoonPay among an elite cohort of crypto firms authorized to operate in New York State.
Ivan Soto-Wright, co-founder and CEO of MoonPay, emphasized the significance of this approval, stating that the company now possesses the "golden regulatory stack for crypto in the U.S.," enabling seamless service to customers nationwide.
Expanding Reach and Strategic Positioning
With the New York BitLicense, MoonPay now holds regulatory authorizations to operate across all 50 U.S. states, including money transmission licenses in 46 jurisdictions outside New York. The company also maintains registrations in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Italy, Ireland, and Jersey. This expansion follows MoonPay's decision to establish its new U.S. headquarters in New York City, its largest domestic office to date, further solidifying its presence in a key financial hub.
In December 2024, MoonPay had already achieved another significant milestone by obtaining authorization to operate as a crypto asset service provider under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework in the Netherlands, underscoring its global growth strategy.
Navigating the Regulatory Landscape
The BitLicense, while crucial for legal operation in New York, has faced criticism from figures like New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has called for its termination, citing concerns that it stifles innovation. Despite such criticisms, the license remains a necessary prerequisite for any crypto business seeking to engage with New York residents legally.
MoonPay's success in securing this license demonstrates its commitment to compliance and its ability to meet the rigorous standards set by regulators. This achievement not only strengthens MoonPay's market presence but also signals a growing trend towards clear regulation and responsible interaction with institutions within the digital asset sector.
Sources
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MoonPay Approved to Operate Across All 50 States, Altcoin Buzz.
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operational in all 50 US states, The Cryptonomist.
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MoonPay gains NY BitLicence and US coverage, The Paypers.
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Moonpay Secures Bitlicense and Money Transmitter Licenses From New York Regulators – News Bytes Bitcoin News, Bitcoin.com News.
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MoonPay Secures New York BitLicense, Joins Coinbase and Others as Congress Holds Crypto Market Hearings -
"The Defiant", The Defiant.
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