Payhound Secures Mi CA License for Crypto Payments Expansion
Best Casinos 2025
Key Takeaways:
- Payhound, a leading iGaming payment processor, has obtained the Markets in Crypto-Assets (Mi CA) licence, enabling compliant crypto transactions across Europe.
- The licence bolsters Payhound's position in regulated markets, allowing seamless integration of digital assets for online casino deposits and withdrawals.
- This move aligns with growing EU demands for transparent, secure payment solutions, potentially reducing fraud risks for operators and players.
Payhound, a specialist in payment methods for the iGaming sector, has achieved a significant regulatory milestone by securing the Markets in Crypto-Assets (Mi CA) licence from EU authorities. Announced on December 2, 2025, this approval positions the company as a frontrunner in facilitating cryptocurrency transactions within Europe's tightly controlled online casino landscape.
The Mi CA framework, fully effective since June 2024, imposes rigorous standards on crypto-asset service providers, including anti-money laundering measures, consumer protections, and operational transparency. For Payhound, the licence validates its infrastructure for handling stablecoins, Bitcoin, and other digital currencies used in casino gaming. Previously reliant on partnerships with non-EU licensed entities, Payhound can now directly serve operators in key jurisdictions like Malta, Sweden, and the Netherlands, where online casino revenues exceed €10 billion annually.
This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of unregulated crypto flows in iGaming. Recent data from the European Gaming and Betting Association indicates that 15% of European online casino transactions involve cryptocurrencies, yet only 40% occur through Mi CA-compliant channels. Non-compliance has led to fines totaling €50 million across the sector in 2025, prompting operators to seek vetted providers like Payhound. The company's platform supports instant settlements, reducing withdrawal times from days to minutes—a critical factor for player retention in competitive markets.
The impact extends beyond immediate operations. By embedding Mi CA-compliant tools, Payhound enables casinos to offer hybrid fiat-crypto wallets, appealing to tech-savvy demographics in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. This could drive a 20-25% uplift in transaction volumes, according to industry forecasts from H2 Gambling Capital. Moreover, it mitigates risks associated with volatile exchanges, ensuring stable conversion rates for euro-denominated games.
For the broader online casino industry, Payhound's advancement underscores a pivotal shift toward regulated innovation. As EU regulators intensify oversight—evidenced by the recent €4 million fine on Unibet in the Netherlands for player protection lapses—payment providers must evolve from mere facilitators to compliance partners. This licence not only safeguards Payhound's 200+ operator clients but also sets a benchmark for peers like Much Better and Skrill, potentially accelerating adoption of blockchain-based auditing for fair play verification.
Operators stand to benefit from reduced chargeback rates, which plague 8% of crypto transactions, and enhanced KYC integration that streamlines onboarding. Players, meanwhile, gain confidence in fund security, addressing concerns over hacks that cost the sector €120 million in 2024. As iGaming revenues in regulated Europe are projected to hit €35 billion by 2026, Payhound's proactive compliance could catalyze a more resilient ecosystem, where innovation and accountability coexist.
In parallel, the licence facilitates cross-border scalability. Payhound's expansion into emerging EU markets like Greece, where online casino licensing opened in September 2025, positions it to capture a slice of the €2 billion opportunity. This regulatory green light arrives at an opportune moment, coinciding with the SiGMA Europe Summit in Malta, where payment evolution dominated discussions.
Ultimately, Payhound's Mi CA achievement signals the maturation of crypto in iGaming. It transforms a once-fringe payment method into a mainstream pillar, fostering trust and efficiency. As operators navigate fiscal pressures and regulatory flux, such advancements will determine market leaders, ensuring sustainable growth without compromising integrity.
