2020 may be a tough year overall, but it has been quite good to the cryptocurrency space. PayPal announced plans for a cryptocurrency offering, Visa revealed plans to incorporate cryptocurrencies into its payment network, and Mastercard expanded its existing cryptocurrency program.

Late last week, another development took shape: cryptocurrency payments platform Wirex announced it received its first money transmission license in the U.S. The license, issued by the State of Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, comes two years after Wirex received its e-money license from the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority.

Receiving the license is a major step in the direction of a U.S. launch. In fact, Wirex said it will formally launch in the U.S. “in the coming months.”

“We are very excited to receive our license as a money transmission business for the State of Georgia,” said Wirex CEO and co-founder Pavel Matveev. “With the sector growing rapidly, approval of this license is an important step in Wirex’s endeavor to ensure the company complies with money transmission regulations and cryptocurrency laws worldwide. This is an important step in realizing our vision to grow cryptocurrency adoption and use with a mainstream audience in the U.S.”

Wirex was founded in 2014 and helps its 3 million customers in 130 countries buy, hold, and exchange fiat money and cryptocurrencies. Among the company’s offerings is a contactless, crypto-compatible debit card that enables customers to transact at the 54+ million locations where Visa is accepted. Wirex is also known for Cryptoback, a cryptocurrency rewards scheme that offers up to 1.5% back, paid in Bitcoin, to customers who use their Wirex card in-store.

The fintech industry will look back at 2020 as a year of change in many areas, including digital transformation, payments, and in-person services. However, one of the most impactful changes taking shape this year is the broader acceptance and usage of cryptocurrencies.

Part of the evidence here is the formation of partnerships between crypto companies such as Wirex and traditional incumbents such as Mastercard. Last month, the two struck a deal that allows Wirex to directly issue cards on Mastercard’s network.

Wirex has received $3.2 million in funding and became profitable earlier this year.

Photo by Henry Boulind on Unsplash

Source: https://finovate.com/wirex-inches-toward-u-s-launch/