EU CRYPTO REGISTER · AUTHORISED · LAST VERIFIED
Is Lightspark Payments Europe AS licensed under MiCA in the European Union?
Lightspark Payments Europe AS's European entity (Lightspark Payments Europe AS) is recorded as an authorised Crypto-Asset Service Provider under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, with its authorisation issued by Estonia on 15 June 2026.
Verdict: Lightspark Payments Europe AS appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised CASPs.
| Legal entity | Lightspark Payments Europe AS |
|---|---|
| Home Member State | Estonia |
| National Competent Authority | |
| Authorisation date | |
| Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) | 6488O0OC79779MZX1E44 |
| Authorised services |
Source: ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
About Lightspark Payments Europe AS
Lightspark Payments Europe AS is not a consumer crypto exchange but a business-to-business payments infrastructure provider. Its own EU site describes it as offering 'regulated APIs for digital asset custody, trading, banking and card issuing', with named virtual IBANs, dedicated crypto wallets, card issuing linked to Bitcoin and stablecoins, on and off-chain transfers, and SEPA and SEPA Instant connectivity. According to its site the platform is built around Bitcoin and stablecoins rather than a broad multi-asset offering, and it positions its product for neobanks, wallets, exchanges and global payments providers who embed these services rather than for retail users directly. Source: Lightspark Payments Europe
Research summarising the company reports that the entity is operated by Lightspark (United States), which acquired the Estonian company Striga in 2024 to combine its Bitcoin payment network with Striga's regulatory framework. The same research states the business is headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, and that the underlying Estonian operation was established by Striga in 2018. These operational details come from the research summary and the company's acquisition announcement rather than from a regulator. Sources: Lightspark acquires Striga, Walless deal note
On the legal point, the contracting entity is Lightspark Payments Europe AS, established in Estonia and supervised by the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (Finantsinspektsioon). The company states on its site that it was the first company licensed under the new MiCA-style regime in Estonia, and the research notes it appears on the Estonian regulator's crypto-asset service provider register. The specific list of individual MiCA crypto-asset services this authorisation covers is not contained in the research data provided here, so this profile does not enumerate which MiCA services are and are not included; the Finantsinspektsioon CASP register is the authoritative source for that scope. Sources: Finantsinspektsioon CASP register, Lightspark Payments Europe
Which crypto services is Lightspark Payments Europe AS authorised to offer in the EU?
Under its MiCA authorisation issued by Estonia, Lightspark Payments Europe AS (Lightspark Payments Europe AS) is approved to provide the following services to EEA residents. Each service is defined in Article 3(1)(16) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114.
Which services is Lightspark Payments Europe AS not authorised to offer?
Lightspark Payments Europe AS's MiCA licence does not cover: Custody, Trading platform, Exchange for funds, Exchange for crypto, Order execution, Placing, Order R&T, Advice, Portfolio mgmt, Transfer services. These services may still be offered by other authorised providers, or by Lightspark Payments Europe AS under a different regulatory framework (for example, derivatives may fall under MiFID II rather than MiCA). Source: ESMA Register, retrieved 30 June 2026.
What does this mean for users of Lightspark Payments Europe AS in the EU?
If you transact through Lightspark Payments Europe AS's EEA-authorised entity (Lightspark Payments Europe AS), the protections introduced by MiCA apply to your relationship from onwards. In practical terms this means: client crypto-assets are ring-fenced from the exchange's own funds (Article 70 MiCA), the authorised entity holds prudential capital, has formal complaint-handling procedures, and is subject to transparency obligations on fees and order execution. Source: Regulation (EU) 2023/1114.
One thing to verify yourself: the legal entity you contract with day-to-day must match the entity in the ESMA register. Some global exchanges operate multiple legal entities under one brand. Confirm in Lightspark Payments Europe AS's terms of service that your contracting entity is Lightspark Payments Europe AS, not a non-EEA affiliate.
Which MiCA-authorised exchanges are alternatives to Lightspark Payments Europe AS?
Three MiCA-authorised providers to consider. Drawn from the ESMA register, never paid placement.
| Provider | Home Member State | Authorised | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaric Securities | Bulgaria | 9 services | |
| OKX | Malta | 9 services | |
| Kraken | Ireland | 8 services |
Related reading
Understand the regulatory context behind Lightspark Payments Europe AS's entry on the register:
Frequently asked questions about Lightspark Payments Europe AS and MiCA
Is Lightspark Payments Europe AS licensed under MiCA?
Yes. Lightspark Payments Europe AS appears in the ESMA Register of MiCA-Authorised Crypto-Asset Service Providers, with its authorisation issued by the competent authority of Estonia.
Which EU countries can Lightspark Payments Europe AS serve under this licence?
A MiCA authorisation in one EEA member state permits passporting across all EEA member states, subject to a notification process to each host-state regulator.
Are my crypto-assets on Lightspark Payments Europe AS protected under MiCA?
MiCA introduces ring-fencing of client crypto-assets, prudential capital requirements for the authorised entity, complaint-handling obligations, and conduct rules. It does not provide a deposit-guarantee scheme equivalent to bank deposit insurance.
What's the difference between the authorised entity and the global brand?
Some global exchanges operate multiple legal entities. The MiCA authorisation applies only to the specific legal entity in the ESMA register, not to the global brand. Verify the contracting entity in Lightspark Payments Europe AS's terms of service.
Where can I check the official record?
The ESMA register publishes the authoritative list and updates it weekly. The direct link to Lightspark Payments Europe AS's entry is on this page under 'Sources'.
Sources
- ESMA Register of Crypto-Asset Service Providers
- ESMA MiCA Register - Lightspark Payments Europe AS (Lightspark Payments Europe AS)
- Lightspark Payments Europe AS official website
- Lightspark Payments Europe (issuer site)
- Finantsinspektsioon - Crypto-Asset Service Providers Estonia: Lightspark Payments Europe
- Lightspark acquires Striga (announcement)
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