logo

Merge expands stablecoin payment offering with EMI and VASP license activation

Finextra5 days ago

Merge, a London-based fintech, has activated its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence and Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registration.
0
This marks a major milestone in its mission to modernise global payments.
The dual licences, granted by France's ACPR and AMF, position Merge among the few financial infrastructure providers fully regulated to operate across both traditional and blockchain-based payment rails. This enables Merge to offer seamless payments in both local and digital currencies, combining the trust of regulated fiat operations with the speed and efficiency of stablecoin-based transfers.
These regulatory permissions allow Merge to support businesses in Europe and across the globe with a broad range of needs, from collecting and holding funds to executing cross-border payments and converting between fiat and digital currencies. The company's infrastructure is designed to eliminate the delays, fees and lack of transparency that have long plagued international money movement.
Merge's dual licensing is particularly valuable for companies navigating complex markets, where traditional banking and payment channels are slow, fragmented or unreliable. Whether a business is settling global invoices, repatriating revenue, or paying out to vendors in local currencies, Merge simplifies the entire process through one compliant and scalable platform.
This expansion builds on Merge's existing platform, which already serves clients globally. Through a single API, Merge provides a comprehensive suite of services including multi-currency accounts, real-time payments, SWIFT connectivity, named sub-accounts and foreign exchange capabilities. These tools allow businesses to manage global treasury operations more efficiently and automate end-to-end payment flows.
'This is a major leap in making global money movement truly borderless,' said Kebbie Sebastian, Founder and CEO of Merge. 'By merging stablecoins with real-time payment rails, we're enabling businesses to move funds instantly and cost-effectively, without the friction of legacy systems. It's a game-changer for companies that have long struggled with international transfers taking days and a lack of visibility throughout the process.'
'Stablecoins are transforming how money moves globally,,' added Michael Burtscher, COO of Merge. 'With both EMI and VASP licences in place, Merge provides the regulatory foundation needed for organisations to confidently adopt stablecoin-powered payment infrastructure at scale.'
This milestone reinforces Merge's commitment to powering the future of cross-border payments for corporates, fintechs and digital platforms operating across both developed and emerging markets. With regulatory approval, institutional-grade infrastructure and a single unified API, Merge is positioned to become a key enabler of seamless, real-time global commerce.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Arsenal target Rodrygo handed deadline to 'convince everyone' at Real Madrid he deserves his place
Arsenal target Rodrygo handed deadline to 'convince everyone' at Real Madrid he deserves his place

Daily Mail​

time34 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Arsenal target Rodrygo handed deadline to 'convince everyone' at Real Madrid he deserves his place

Arsenal target Rodrygo has been handed a deadline to convince everyone he belongs at Real Madrid, as per a report. The 24-year-old developed into an integral player for Madrid since joining from Brazilian side Santos for €45million (£37.9m) in 2019. The forward, who has also won 33 caps for Brazil, may have a lower profile than fellow attackers Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr, yet he still has a hugely impressive record at the Bernabeu. Rodrygo has 68 goals and 50 assists in 267 appearances for Los Blancos but after a difficult campaign, reports have linked him with a move away this summer, with Arsenal believed to be one of many Premier League clubs interested. And with speculation rampant, Madrid have told Rodrygo he must prove he can fit into Xabi Alonso 's system at the upcoming Club World Cup, according to Spanish outlet Marca. The revamped 32-team tournament runs through mid-June to mid-July, meaning the Brazilian forward has around seven weeks to get back to his best. Teams are expected to take this year's Club World Cup more serious than ever before, considering the mammoth prize pool at stake. The side that takes the trophy home will receive a windfall of $40m (£30m), while a team winning of their games could see them land up to $125m (£92m). For reference, the winner of the Champions League earns around £120m, while the Premier League champions typically earn between £38m and £40m for finishing first. Sky Sports Germany previously claimed Arsenal are in talks with the 24-year-old over a move and that he is at the top of their list of targets on the wing, although he has also been touted with a move to Man City, Man United and Liverpool. Mikel Arteta was pressed on these links prior to Arsenal's final game of the campaign against Southampton - which saw them win 2-1. 'If you want to win titles, you have to be the best in the market,' Arteta said, as he refused to confirm or deny the links. 'The teams that win have the best players. 'It's a matter of pride. It shows we've brought the club to a level where people expect us to challenge for trophies. 'What is clear with the amount of injuries that we had in the front line is that we need a goal threat and we need firepower'. Rodrygo scored 18 goals and claimed nine assists in the 2023-24 season as Madrid won the treble. But he has failed to follow it up this season, only bagging six times and providing six assists in LaLiga. He has scored just once in his last 22 matches, last netting against Atletico Madrid in March. Rodrygo was not called up for Carlo Ancelotti's inaugural Brazil squad, whom the former Madrid boss now manages.

Deco on Barca's future, challenging Real and Yamal
Deco on Barca's future, challenging Real and Yamal

BBC News

time34 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Deco on Barca's future, challenging Real and Yamal

Barcelona sporting director Deco denies the club have financial problems and says they do not need to sell players - despite La Liga's restrictive financial 47, has overseen a revival of Barcelona since his appointment in 2023, culminating in a domestic treble while also reaching the semi-finals of the Champions Catalans have renewed the contracts of superstar teenager Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and manager Hansi Flick, while they were cleared by Spain's National Sports Council (CSD) to register midfielder Dani Olmo amid a dispute with La Liga. When asked whether the world should see Barcelona as a well-run club in 2025, Deco told BBC Sport: "Barcelona is my club, I love Barcelona. I saw what happened from the outside and always thought I could help put Barca at the same high level. "I knew it would be difficult when I joined with the financial rules - it is not a financial problem, but the financial fair play rules in Spain are more difficult than the Premier League and in other countries. "It is a problem for a lot of clubs, you just hear about Barca because we are a big club. You need to work with it, see how you can improve the team and the combination of La Masia [academy] players and experienced players has been important."The former Portugal midfielder, who played for the Catalans - as well as Chelsea and Porto - stresses Barcelona are happy working with La Liga but have faith the rules will continue to improve. Even if they do not, Barcelona are excited to have "one of the biggest contracts in history" with Nike, and the newly renovated 100,000-seater Nou Camp will be the biggest stadium in Europe and improve insists Barcelona will "not sell our best players", adding the team's recent success means they can "grow with many of the same players". But he says they are in looking for "two, three or four signings", without needing to enter the market "like crazy" thanks to the stability at the core of the asked if it includes the option of signing Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, thought to be available for £40m, or Liverpool's Luis Diaz, he added: "We have been focusing on renewing contracts, after that, we'll discuss players to come. "Of course, these two players, like you mentioned, they are good but have contracts in their clubs, so we won't speak because it's not fair. But when you decide to go to the market, for sure, we find some names. In my opinion, we don't need to bring many players."He added: "When I speak with the agents of the players, everyone wants to come or stay. So this is important. The image of the club is still good. We are proud because Barcelona is still such a big club, and the way we are playing football makes players want to come."Deco is aware of the constant threat of Real Madrid, who will look to improve under new head coach Xabi have also agreed deals for right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will leave Liverpool, and Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen. Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras is understood to be next on the club's shortlist."Next season is not going to be easy, because I know that first Real Madrid has a lot of top players," he said. "In my opinion they have a big team. They have a lot of fantastic players. Of course they want to improve."It's very important to have a strong Madrid. It's very important to have strong players, top players, players that the people want to see. I think Madrid has these kinds of players, like us."Now it's important to keep the top players in La Liga. So for us it's important that Madrid are strong, that Atletico is strong, and we need to be there." 'Yamal can make history like Messi' Barcelona have already signed perhaps their most important deal of the summer, keeping 17-year-old Spanish sensation Yamal at the club on a new six-year deal until made his debut at 15 and has already made 106 appearances for the club. He was part of Spain's European Championship-winning team, is the reigning Golden Boy and Kopa winner - awards given to the best young player in the world - and was heavily involved in Barcelona's four El Clasico wins against Madrid this season. All this success has led him to be compared to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, widely regarded as among the world's greatest ever players. Deco continued: "Lamine is Lamine. Leo is Leo. Leo was the best player in the history of this club, for me, the best player in history. "Everyone becomes crazy when they see Lamine playing football, you would pay to go watch him in the stadium, he's special and he wanted to stay because he believes in the project. He deserves an improved salary. "He's going to be one of the best players in the world. We need to respect him as a player, but not forget he is 17 years old."Deco added: "It's not easy to compare, but Lamine, in terms of quality, can make history like Leo. But of course, to make history, he needs to have a good team behind him."Barcelona managed Messi mania and would know how to give Yamal the degree of protection he needs to shine."We try to not let him do everything, because, you know, sometimes the sponsors, and everyone wants his shirt or time," Deco continued. "Sometimes we can't control everything, but people see his magic, on and off the pitch. "They want to have a piece of him and we need to help him manage that."

Indivior to delist from London Stock Exchange, maintain Nasdaq listing
Indivior to delist from London Stock Exchange, maintain Nasdaq listing

Reuters

time42 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Indivior to delist from London Stock Exchange, maintain Nasdaq listing

June 2 (Reuters) - Pharma firm Indivior (INDV.L), opens new tab said on Monday it will cancel its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange, effective July 25, maintaining its primary listing on the Nasdaq to reduce costs and better align with its U.S.-centric business. The company, known for its opioid addiction treatment, joins a growing number of companies delisting from London, as lower valuations and weak investor appetite continue to drive firms toward U.S. markets. Shares of Indivior, which floated in London in late 2014, have dropped more than 60% from record highs hit in June 2018. The company said over 80% of its revenue now comes from the U.S., with the Nasdaq (NDAQ.O), opens new tab accounting for about 75% of recent trading volumes. The delisting aims to streamline operations and reflect the company's strategic focus on the U.S. market, it said. Indivior moved its primary listing to the United States last year. The decision to delist from London comes just months after Indivior overhauled its management. Earlier this year, it appointed David Wheadon as chair and Joe Ciaffoni as CEO.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store