Bitstamp may become the first licensed Bitcoin exchange in 28 EU countries

According to foreign media reports, Bitstamp, one of the world’s leading Bitcoin exchanges, is about to announce a new agreement with the Luxembourg government that will enable the exchange to launch compliant and authorized Bitcoin services in Europe.

According to sources, Bitstamp may have been granted a payment institution (PI) or electronic money institution (EMI) license by the Luxembourg regulator, a move that would reportedly allow Bitstamp to become the first regulated and authorized Bitcoin exchange in the 28-nation European Union.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Slovenia, Bitstamp has long been one of Europe's largest bitcoin startups, providing bitcoin trading and gold purchasing services to investors. The company is registered in the UK, the US and Luxembourg.

According to data from Bitcoin Charts, Bitstamp is currently the fourth largest Bitcoin exchange in terms of USD trading volume, behind Bitfinex, BTC-e and Coinbase. In the past 24 hours, the exchange's Bitcoin trading volume was just under 4,000 BTC, equivalent to $1.6 million in trading volume. It is worth noting that Bitstamp does not currently offer trading in Euros.

A representative for Luxembourg's Office of Trade and Investment declined to comment but said a statement from the government was likely to arrive soon.

Bitstamp executives did not provide any comment.

Original text: http://www.coindesk.com/bitstamp-europe-license-luxembourg/
By Pete Rizzo
Translation: Overnight porridge
Source (translation): 8btc Information (http://www.8btc.com/bitstamp-europe-license)