Bitcoin Lightning Fintech ZBD Approved to Receive EU MiCA License by Dutch Regulator

Countries like the Netherlands are preparing for MiCA implementation.

Dec 18, 2024, 11:14 a.m. UTC

ZBD, a payment platform powered by the Bitcoin Lightning network, said the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) approved its application for a European Union MiCA license.

When MiCA takes effect and the license is granted on Dec. 30, ZBD will be able to offer a wide range of crypto custody and crypto exchange services throughout the trading bloc, the company, formerly known as Zebedee, told CoinDesk on Wednesday.

The company first submitted the application in April. The list of applicants receiving a license will be visible on the AFM's website once MiCA kicks in, the regulator said.

Countries like the Netherlands are among the nations in the EU that have been getting companies ready for MiCA to take full force. Many others have yet to pass the required legislation for MiCA to take effect in their jurisdictions.

Camomile Shumba

Camomile Shumba is a CoinDesk regulatory reporter based in the UK. Previously, Shumba interned at Business Insider and Bloomberg. Camomile has featured in Harpers Bazaar, Red, the BBC, Black Ballad, Journalism.co.uk, Cryptopolitan.com and South West Londoner. Shumba studied politics, philosophy and economics as a combined degree at the University of East Anglia before doing a postgraduate degree in multimedia journalism. While she did her undergraduate degree she had an award-winning radio show on making a difference. She does not currently hold value in any digital currencies or projects.