Checkout.com has acquired Lithuania-based Blue EMI, a licensed euro stablecoin issuer, marking a strategic move to embed regulated digital currencies directly into its global payments infrastructure.
Global payments provider Checkout.com has completed the acquisition of Blue EMI, a European electronic money institution authorised by the Bank of Lithuania, in a deal that significantly strengthens its position in regulated stablecoin issuance and digital settlement. The transaction, announced on January 27, 2026, also includes the establishment of a new technology and innovation hub in Vilnius, reinforcing Checkout.com’s long-term commitment to Europe.
Blue EMI is a regulated EMI with the ability to issue euro-denominated stablecoins backed 1:1 by reserves, alongside offering payment services such as open banking, card processing, and e-commerce checkout capabilities. While not a large-scale consumer brand, the company operates as a regulated infrastructure provider, positioning it closer to an institutional fintech platform than an early-stage startup. Its regulatory status makes it particularly relevant as the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework comes into force, placing stablecoin issuance firmly under regulatory oversight.
For Checkout.com, the acquisition represents a shift from simply enabling stablecoin settlement to owning regulated digital money infrastructure. The company had previously supported stablecoin payouts and merchant settlement in partnership with crypto infrastructure providers, allowing businesses to receive funds outside traditional banking hours. By bringing Blue EMI in-house, Checkout.com gains direct control over euro stablecoin issuance, opening the door to faster, programmable, and potentially lower-cost settlement for merchants operating across borders.
The deal also reflects a broader trend across the payments industry, where major providers are moving to secure licensed entities and blockchain-native capabilities rather than relying solely on partnerships. Stripe has expanded stablecoin and on-chain payment support through acquisitions and internal builds, and created Open Issuance platform that lets businesses launch their own stablecoin in days.
Meanwhile, PayPal launched its own dollar-backed stablecoin and continues to integrate blockchain settlement into its wallet and merchant products. Similarly, Visa and Mastercard have increased investments in tokenised settlement and regulated digital asset infrastructure, signalling growing institutional acceptance of stablecoins as a payments layer.
Checkout.com’s move is especially significant in Europe, where recently-established regulatory clarity in the crypto space is accelerating institutional adoption. The Vilnius hub is expected to support stablecoin-related engineering, compliance, and product development tied to both fiat and digital currency flows.
