Bison Bank Secures EU's Most Comprehensive Crypto License Yet

Bison Bank has secured Portugal's first full MiCA crypto license, making it one of approximately 30 banks in the European Union cleared to offer MiCA-compliant crypto services. This milestone was granted on June 22 and represents a significant step forward for the bank.

The groundwork for this achievement began in 2022 when Bison Bank's wholly owned subsidiary, Bison Digital Assets (BDA), launched as Portugal's first bank-owned Virtual Asset Service Provider licensed by the Bank of Portugal. BDA spent the following years building out institutional and high-net-worth client relationships, serving around 275 clients and facilitating roughly €165 million in trading volume by 2025.

The new CASP authorization effectively absorbs BDA's operations into the parent bank, allowing for full integration by the end of 2026. This upgrade unlocks a broader menu of services, including custody, exchange, and advisory offerings for crypto assets.