New York Offers Another License to Bitcoin App Square
Shortly after giving its sixth—ever BitLicense to cryptocurrency wallet Xapo, New York has accepted fintech startup Square to operate in the State, allowing its users to buy and sell bitcoin.
On Monday, the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) revealed its official approval of Square’s application for a virtual currency license, also referred to as “BitLicense’. Usually seen and condemned as the most rigid US state law governing cryptocurrencies, this is the seventh BitLicense offered to a company almost three years after bitcoin startup Circle obtained the first license in September 2015.
Square, which has previous money transmitter license from the DFS, started backing bitcoin through this well-known ‘Cash’ app this year. By doing this, the digital payments company provided immediate buying and selling of the world’s most dominant cryptocurrency via its platform.
“We are thrilled to now provide New Yorkers with Cash App’s quick and simple way to buy and sell bitcoin,” said Square’s Cash App chief Brian Grassadonia.
Square’s move to back bitcoin has helped to improve its stock this year and has witnessed the firm gaining a profit from $34 million in total crypto-related revenue in Q1 2018.
The DFS noted it took Square through a comprehensive review; to determine the firm’s anti-money laundering, anti-fraud, consumer protection, cybersecurity and capitalization policies before granting the license, which will be liable to ‘ongoing supervision’ throughout.
Maria T. Vullo, DFS superintendent noted in a statement:
“DFS is pleased to approve Square’s application and welcomes them to New York’s expanding and well-regulated virtual currency market. DFS continues to work in support of a vibrant and competitive virtual currency market that connects and empowers New Yorkers in a global marketplace while ensuring strong state-regulatory oversight is in place.”
Unexpectedly, it has also been announced that crypto brokerage Genesis Trading has been partnering with Square to allow bitcoin buying and selling ever since the latter’s pilot in fall 2017.
