Spain gives Ripio greenlight to offer crypto products

Spain is gradually welcoming more crypto firms, most recently Crypto.com

article-image

cgstock/Shutterstock modified by Blockworks

share

Crypto exchange Ripio has been approved to operate in Spain, a move that follows competitors including Bit2Me and Bitpanda gaining regulatory approval to set up shop within the country.

After the Markets in Crypto Assets bill was passed in April, Spain has moved to set itself up as a hub for digital asset companies. The Bank of Spain most recently granted Crypto.com a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license.

To obtain a VASP license, companies must undergo a number of prerequisites. Among them are several documents, including a currency exchange registration form, a custody service registration form, and a risk analysis. Applicants must also provide a manual for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.

Ripio CEO Sebastián Serrano disclosed the development on Twitter Tuesday, saying the company could now offer its services to Spanish customers. In addition to an exchange, Ripio also offers crypto products including a Web3 wallet. 

Loading Tweet..

Ripio was founded in 2013 and has over 8 million retail users across Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, Spain and the US, according to its website. The company has locked down over 1,000 institutional clients. 

It has a suite of different products, including a trading platform. It also offers a crypto wallet and that pairs with a debit card. Essentially, the card can pay for items with the wallet’s balance, and after transactions are made it offers cashback in the form of USDC.

Over seventy firms are registered as virtual currency and e-wallet service providers through the Bank of Spain, including Binance. Binance operates in the country through a subsidiary.

Ripio representatives did not immediately return a request for comment.


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Javits Center North | 445 11th Ave

Tues - Thurs, March 24 - 26, 2026

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Unlocked by Template (1).jpg

Research

As AI supercharges surveillance, privacy becomes a prerequisite and the winning stack will combine confidentiality with selective disclosure. Zcash’s Tachyon, composable standards on Ethereum/Solana, and compliance-aware pools aim to make private rails the new norm.

article-image

Swiss regulator Gespa is assessing whether FIFA’s tokenized ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup violate gambling laws

by Blockworks /
article-image

The deal gives Ondo Finance SEC-registered broker-dealer, ATS, and transfer agent licenses to operate regulated tokenized securities markets

by Blockworks /
article-image

Ethereum and Solana funds mark industry first as Grayscale adds staking to spot crypto products

by Blockworks /
article-image

US bitcoin ETFs that seen more than $2.2 billion of net inflows over the last four trading days

by Blockworks /
article-image

More than 75 million U.S. Galaxy owners gain integrated Coinbase One access through Samsung Wallet, with global rollout planned

by Blockworks /
article-image

The central bank signed agreements with firms for fraud, payments, and app services ahead of a potential launch

by Blockworks /