Strike Obtains New York BitLicense and Money Transmitter Authorization
Following NYDFS regulatory approvals, Strike platform users in New York can now access Bitcoin purchasing services, automated buying features, and paycheck conversion to cryptocurrency.
The payments technology firm Strike has obtained both a virtual currency license and a money transmitter license (MTL) issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), granting the platform permission to deliver its Bitcoin-focused services to New York-based individuals and commercial entities.
The licenses, which were issued in February, provide authorization for Zap Solutions, Inc., operating under the Strike brand name, to conduct business within New York's regulatory framework governing digital assets, according to a Thursday announcement from the company.
Individuals residing in New York now have the capability to utilize Strike for purchasing and selling Bitcoin (BTC), establishing recurring purchase schedules or price-based buy triggers, and transforming directly deposited salary payments into Bitcoin. Additionally, the service enables users to settle bills using their Bitcoin holdings and transfer assets to self-custody wallet solutions.
"Receiving our BitLicense is a defining milestone for Strike,"
founder and CEO Jack Mallers said in a statement, adding that the approval allows the company to expand its Bitcoin-based financial services in a major financial market.
A BitLicense grants organizations the authority to engage in digital currency business activities with residents of New York, though it does not independently provide authorization for operations throughout the entire nation.
Organizations seeking to establish operations across the United States generally must secure MTLs in additional states beyond New York as well.
The regulatory framework mandates that companies hold adequate capital reserves, deploy Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance systems and submit to periodic regulatory audits and examinations.
NY approvals remain a key step for US crypto companies
The regulatory approvals represent another milestone in Strike's expansion strategy across the United States, with New York's rigorous licensing requirements frequently functioning as a standard that cryptocurrency companies use when pursuing regulated access to markets.
Additional companies currently holding BitLicenses in New York include MoonPay, Coinbase, eToro, Robinhood and Circle, based on NYDFS official records.
New York regulatory authorities have also pursued enforcement measures against licensed entities. In 2024, Genesis Global Trading reached an agreement to relinquish its BitLicense and remit an $8 million penalty to the regulatory body following an investigation that uncovered deficiencies in its AML and cybersecurity frameworks.
In 2025, Adrienne Harris, former superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services, said the state has an "outsized role to play" in the crypto ecosystem and that lawmakers frequently consult the regulator when drafting digital asset legislation.