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- OKX secured a Payment Institution license in Malta, ensuring its OKX Card and OKX Pay remain legal under the March 2026 EU rules.
- Tokentus Investment AG projects XRP to reach $7–$9, driven by banking partnerships and its role in cross-border payments.
- XRP has recently outperformed Bitcoin and Ethereum, recovering nearly 19% from the latest market dip.
The European digital asset landscape is undergoing a massive shift as major players race to meet looming regulatory deadlines. Crypto exchange OKX has officially cleared a significant hurdle, securing a Payment Institution (PI) license in Malta. This move comes just weeks before new EU-wide rules take effect in March 2026, positioning the firm to lead the charge in compliant stablecoin payments.
Compliance Becomes the New Competitive Edge
While many firms are scrambling to adjust to the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, OKX is doubling down on its “regulatory stack.” The new PI license is a separate, critical authorization required by the PSD2 framework for any firm handling stablecoin payments.
Under these updated rules, stablecoins are now categorized as electronic money tokens (EMTs). Without this specific license, products that bridge crypto and daily commerce—like the OKX Card and OKX Pay—would face a legal dead end in Europe. By securing this third major authorization, OKX can now “passport” its services across 28 EEA countries, ensuring its Mastercard-backed payment card remains a viable tool for spending assets like USDC and USDG at millions of merchant locations.
Analysts Bet Big on XRP’s Utility
As infrastructure matures, market sentiment is shifting toward assets with proven use cases. Michel Oliver, head of Tokentus Investment AG, recently issued a bold forecast for XRP, predicting the token could hit between $7 and $9 during the next bull cycle.
Oliver’s optimism isn’t just based on hype; he points to the accelerating institutional adoption of Ripple’s technology for cross-border settlements. By slashing costs and transaction times for global banks, XRP is carving out a role as a “world reserve bridge currency.” This fundamental utility, combined with growing regulatory clarity, has helped XRP maintain a level of investor trust that many speculative altcoins lack.
Also Read: OKX Under Pressure: Why OKB Struggles to Keep Up with Binance
Market Momentum: XRP Defies the Dip
The numbers tell a compelling story of resilience. Following a broader market downturn in early February, XRP has staged a 19% recovery, notably outperforming both Bitcoin and Ethereum, which struggled with more modest 6% bounces.
While the token currently faces some technical resistance near the $1.46 mark, the long-term outlook remains focused on adoption. As OKX builds the “rails” for payments and analysts like Oliver project new price ceilings, the crypto industry appears to be moving away from its “Wild West” roots and toward a future defined by institutional integration and strict legal compliance.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
I’m a crypto enthusiast with a background in finance. I’m fascinated by the potential of crypto to disrupt traditional financial systems. I’m always on the lookout for new and innovative projects in the space. I believe that crypto has the potential to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system.
