OSL Group (HKEX: 863) announced on July 09, 2026 that its European subsidiary OSL EU received Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorization from the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). The authorization enables OSL Group to passport regulated crypto-asset services across all 30 countries of the European Economic Area. The milestone follows MiCAR's July 1, 2026 deadline, which saw only approximately 210 out of more than 1,200 previously registered crypto firms (roughly 17%) successfully convert to full CASP authorization, with the remainder exiting or losing legal rights to serve EU clients. OSL Group now operates under both Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission licensing regime and Europe's MiCAR framework, positioning it among a small group of firms authorized under both Asia's and Europe's stringent digital-asset regulatory systems.
OSL EU Receives CASP Authorization from Austrian FMA Under MiCAR
The Austrian Financial Market Authority granted OSL EU authorization as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider under MiCAR on July 09, 2026. The authorization permits OSL EU to provide custody and administration of crypto-assets, spot trading, on and off-ramp and conversion services, and transfer of crypto-assets to institutional and eligible clients across the European Economic Area. Chagri Poyraz, Chief Strategy Officer of OSL Group, stated: "MiCAR is the most demanding test the global crypto industry has faced, and the results are now on the record: fewer than one in five previously registered firms successfully transitioned to full CASP authorization, and some of the largest names in the industry are not on the list."
OSL Group Operates Under Hong Kong SFC and European MiCAR Frameworks
OSL Group Limited is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and its subsidiary OSL Digital Securities Limited holds a virtual-asset platform license from Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission. OSL Digital Securities Limited was among the first platforms licensed by the SFC, a regime known for requirements on custody, investor protection and market conduct. Kevin Cui, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of OSL Group, stated: "Building on our Hong Kong foundation, our recent Australian licence, and our authorizations across Asia and the Americas, this is what long-term, institution-grade infrastructure looks like." The company operates under regulated frameworks across Asia, Australia, the United States, Canada and Europe, and holds or is pursuing more than 50 trading and payment licences worldwide. The FMA authorization complements the MiCAR licence already held in the Netherlands by EU Internet Ventures B.V, another OSL Group subsidiary.
CASP Authorization Enables Passporting Across 30 EEA Countries
Under the FMA authorization, OSL EU is empowered to serve institutional and eligible clients across the 30 countries of the European Economic Area. MiCAR replaces 27 separate national regimes with one harmonized framework, and a single authorization passports across the entire bloc. Marie Winter, Managing Director of OSL EU, stated: "This authorization confirms that our framework meets the standard EU regulators set, and it lets OSL Group operate consistently and predictably across the European market from day one." The authorization strengthens OSL Group's ability to open European banking relationships, access local payment rails, and work with enterprise counterparties who require fully regulated entities.
MiCAR Transition Reduced Authorized Firms to 17% of Original Registrations
Of more than 1,200 crypto firms that held national registrations across the EU, only about 210 (roughly 17%) converted to full CASP authorization by the July 1, 2026 deadline. Regulators confirmed there is no interim status and no extension. The firms that did not convert have exited or lost the legal right to serve EU clients, and several large industry names are not among those authorized. Narrowed to trading platforms, the field of authorized entities is smaller still. The legal name of OSL EU is currently CIGE vierte PGG GmbH, and the company is expected to be renamed OSL EU GmbH, with the name change process currently underway.
FAQ
What authorization did OSL Group receive on July 09, 2026?
OSL Group's European subsidiary OSL EU received Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorization from the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) on July 09, 2026.
How many crypto firms successfully converted to CASP authorization under MiCAR?
Of more than 1,200 crypto firms that held national registrations across the EU, only approximately 210 (roughly 17%) successfully converted to full CASP authorization by the July 1, 2026 deadline.
What services can OSL EU provide under the CASP authorization?
OSL EU is authorized to provide custody and administration of crypto-assets, spot trading, on and off-ramp and conversion services, and transfer of crypto-assets to institutional and eligible clients across all 30 countries of the European Economic Area.
