Bison Bank took a major step by obtaining Portugal’s first full MiCA license, allowing it to operate directly as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider. This June 22 authorization places the Lisbon-based institution among roughly 30 banks across the entire European Union cleared under the new EU-wide crypto regulation.
The journey started back in 2022 when Bison Bank launched Bison Digital Assets, its wholly owned subsidiary, which was Portugal’s first bank-owned Virtual Asset Service Provider licensed by the Bank of Portugal. Over the next few years, Bison Digital Assets built a client base focused on institutional and high-net-worth investors, managing about €165 million in trading volume by 2025 with around 275 clients. The new CASP license means Bison Bank will now absorb these crypto activities into its main operations, offering services like custody, exchange, and advisory for crypto assets alongside its traditional banking products.
Stablecoins and Growth on the Horizon
In May 2026, Bison Bank made headlines again by launching Portugal's first bank-issued stablecoins, the Bison Bank Electronic Money Tokens, available in euro-backed (EUB) and dollar-backed (USB) versions. Issuing stablecoins under MiCA is challenging due to strict reserve and transparency rules, but Bison's status as a licensed bank simplifies compliance. Looking ahead, the bank also plans to expand into tokenizing real-world assets, signaling its ambition in the crypto space.
Financially, Bison Bank is solid. It posted a recurring net profit of €5 million in 2025, which doubled compared to the previous year. Its Common Equity Tier 1 ratio stands at an impressive 38.5%, reflecting strong capital adequacy as it scales crypto services. This milestone moves Portugal closer to mainstream crypto adoption and highlights how banks can integrate digital assets within regulatory frameworks.
This content is for informational purposes and not financial advice.
