Stablecoin infrastructure provider Zerohash has become one of the first companies to secure a license under the European Union’s landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). This allows the firm to offer stablecoin and crypto services across all 30 European Economic Area (EEA) countries.
Key Developments
- MiCA Approval: Zerohash Europe announced it received a license from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The AFM officially registered Zerohash as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP), positioning it as a critical backbone for banks, fintechs, and payment platforms exploring tokenized assets and stablecoins in the EU.
- Mastercard Acquisition Interest: The MiCA approval coincides with significant acquisition rumors. Mastercard is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire Zerohash in a deal valued between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. Zerohash, founded in 2017, provides crypto infrastructure to major clients including Morgan Stanley, Franklin Templeton, and Stripe.
- Mastercard's Stablecoin Strategy:Mastercard's interest in Zerohash aligns with its growing strategy in the stablecoin sector:
- In August, Mastercard announced it would enable merchants and acquirers in the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) region to settle transactions using Circle’s USDC and EURC.
- In September, Mastercard collaborated with the National Bank of Kazakhstan and Solana on a pilot project for a local fiat-pegged stablecoin, Evo (KZTE).
The MiCA license gives Zerohash first-mover advantage across the EU, while the potential $2 billion acquisition by Mastercard underscores the growing institutional demand for licensed infrastructure in the stablecoin and blockchain space.
November 2025, Cryptoniteuae