Strike just threaded the needle. The Bitcoin-focused payments app, founded by Jack Mallers, announced that its European subsidiary, Zap (Strike) Europe Limited, has received full authorization as a crypto-asset service provider from Malta’s Financial Services Authority. The timing is not subtle: the EU’s MiCA transitional period ends on July 1, 2026, meaning any firm without proper authorization will be forced to stop operating across the bloc.

The MiCA bottleneck

The Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation is the EU’s first attempt at building a unified rulebook for crypto service providers across all 27 member states. MiCA covers authorization requirements, consumer protections, and operational conduct standards, replacing the prior system of fragmented national rules.

Out of more than 1,200 registered crypto entities across the EU and European Economic Area, only around 230 to 244 have actually secured full MiCA authorization as of June 2026. That’s roughly a 20% pass rate. The European Securities and Markets Authority made clear there would be no extensions to the transitional period. July 1 is a hard wall, meaning roughly 1,000 previously registered entities are staring down forced operational wind-downs.

Strike’s authorization through Malta’s MFSA gives it passporting rights across the entire bloc. One license, 27 countries.

Strike’s European play

Strike began serving eligible European customers back in April 2024, operating under the pre-MiCA patchwork of national regulations. This new authorization replaces that prior arrangement with a single, standardized credential.

The app specializes in Bitcoin-specific services: buying, selling, and payments, with a particular focus on the Lightning Network for faster, cheaper transactions. Jack Mallers has long positioned Strike as a bridge between traditional finance and Bitcoin’s payment rails, particularly through Lightning Network integration. The European authorization extends that thesis to a market of roughly 450 million people.