MoonPay has officially secured regulatory approval to operate in all 50 U.S. states after receiving both a BitLicense and money transmitter license from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). The June 4 announcement marks a major milestone for the crypto payments platform, making it one of just 35 digital currency firms authorized to operate in New York, a state known for its stringent crypto regulations.

With this approval, MoonPay now boasts what its CEO Ivan Soto-Wright calls the “golden regulatory stack” in the United States. This move enables the company to serve users nationwide without any gaps in service, placing it among elite firms like Coinbase, Circle, Gemini, and Anchorage Digital that also hold a BitLicense.

The BitLicense, a controversial framework introduced in 2015, is required for any crypto business managing digital assets or investments from New York residents. Though it aims to bring regulatory clarity, it has been criticized for creating barriers to entry. Even New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently called for its removal during the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. Ironically, Adams has become an outspoken advocate for crypto, hosting events and speaking at major industry gatherings, despite facing ongoing political backlash tied to unrelated legal issues.

MoonPay’s announcement follows its earlier plans to establish a headquarters in New York City and expand into Europe, where it received regulatory approval under the EU's MiCA framework in the Netherlands.

With this move, MoonPay not only cements its presence in the U.S. but also positions itself as a global leader in regulated crypto payments infrastructure.