ErisX obtains BitLicense, gets green light to serve New Yorkers

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ErisX has become the latest digital currency company to make an entry into New York after Eris Clearing, its clearing and settlement arm, obtained the coveted BitLicense. The license, issued by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), allows digital currency firms to legally offer their services to New Yorkers.

ErisX is now licensed to offer its services in 47 states and jurisdictions in the U.S., the company revealed in a press release.

In granting the BitLicense, the NYDFS has recognized the high standards that ErisX applies to its trading platform, CEO Thomas Chippas believes. ErisX has borrowed these standards from the existing capital markets and applied them to digital currencies, ensuring the industry adheres to globally accepted standards, he said.

He added, “Our technology stack as well as regulatory framework, operations, and transparent marketplace are building blocks from the established commodity markets bringing familiarity, reliability and conventionality to the crypto markets.”

On its part, the NYDFS cited the approval as a show of its commitment to fostering financial innovation in New York. Linda Lacewell, the Superintendent of Financial Services remarked, “Today’s approval is another step in expanding virtual currency activities in the State and promoting New York’s support for financial innovation, which will be especially important as we work to reopen the economy of the world’s financial capital.”

ErisX becomes the 25th digital currency company to obtain the BitLicense since its launch in 2015. Other companies that have received the license include Robinhood, Coinbase, bitFlyer, Square, SoFi Digital Assets, Bitstamp and Genesis Global Trading.

Upon launch, the strict requirements to get the license forced many digital currency companies to exit New York in what was known as the Great Bitcoin Exodus. The application fee stood at $5,000, with the legal fees to comply running up to $50,000. The companies also had to share information about their users.

Companies like Kraken called it quits, stating that the license “comes at a price that exceeds the market opportunity of servicing New York residents.” Others who left include ShapeShift, Poloniex, Bitfinex and LocalBitcoins.

Boston-based Circle became the first recipient of the BitLicense, with itBit –now Paxos Trust Company- and Gemini being the second and third recipients respectively.

In recent times, the NYDFS has awarded the license to SoFi Digital Assets, Robinhood, LibertyX and Seed CX.