eToro enters New York, clearing BitLicense hurdle years after FTX bankruptcy
Popular trading platform eToro has officially entered the New York market, nearly three years after securing a BitLicense in February 2023. However, authorization to begin operations was only granted recently, highlighting the regulatory and operational hurdles companies face in New York’s crypto sector.
BitLicense is among the strictest cryptocurrency policies in the US. It was established in 2015 and is issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).
Fewer than 40 companies have received approval, but only a portion actually launch services. Due to this regulatory challenge, several firms, such as eToro, have established separate legal entities to operate in New York, while others avoid the state entirely.
Andrew McCormick, Head of eToro US, when asked whether the company anticipated such a lengthy delay, McCormick stated that it certainly was not the case, further elaborating that they knew it would not be an instant transition but hoped to launch within that year.
On the other hand, the timeline outlined the necessary steps for compliance, operational readiness, and regulatory approval to obtain a license, particularly in light of heightened regulatory scrutiny following the FTX collapse.
eToro achieves a significant milestone in its operation
In February of this year, eToro shared better-than-expected fourth-quarter results driven by increased capital markets activity and a corresponding boost in trading income.
At this particular moment, investor confidence in the United States had skyrocketed after the country’s interest rate cut; all stocks were positive throughout the quarter. However, some market participants remained anxious due to cryptocurrency volatility. This was after Bitcoin suffered a significant loss in November 2025, following a period of gains since mid-2021.
Reports noted that several individuals allocated significant funds to specific AI-related stocks, resulting in unprecedented valuation spikes and sparking fears of a potential market bubble.
Yoni Assia, founder and CEO of eToro, shared his view on the matter. He noted an unusual client’s behavior pattern, alleging that digital asset traders illustrated heightened interest in commodities for the first time in history.
Even so, the firm’s fourth-quarter net trading income, driven by equities, commodities, and currencies, rose 43% to $115.6 million. Analysts attributed this rise to investors shifting capital from traditional assets into cryptocurrency, a trend fueled by high returns in the commodity market.
eToro received authorization to list twenty tokens under the existing state’s regulatory regime, with intentions to seek a higher limit later, citing information retrieved from individuals with knowledge of the matter who wished to remain anonymous due to the confidential nature of the situation.
McCormick described this move as a game-changer to their operation, stressing that the company was the first to be granted a BitLicense after the FTX bankruptcy.
“We were close to finishing our application when that incident occurred. It definitely increased scrutiny and diligence,” he said, adding that, “We take pride in meeting those tough standards because of our strong history focused on compliance and customer protection.”
Analysts call for the urgency of a clear cryptocurrency framework
Following eToro’s recent move, analysts noted the heightened scrutiny or support for crypto businesses extends beyond New York. At this time, McCormick noted that the company’s crypto services are unavailable in Hawaii and Nevada.
This factor drives his support for the potential passage of the US House’s Clarity Act, which would establish federal guidelines for the crypto market while assigning specific oversight roles to the SEC and the CFTC.
In the meantime, recent reports indicate that the Clarity Act and similar federal market structure regulations are deadlocked over disputes on how to divide authority among regulators. Analysts warn that a fractured state-by-state regulatory landscape will continue to disrupt US business growth, compliance, and product launches.
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Adrian Wall of Digital Sovereignty Alliance Speaks on Tokenization at Penn Blockchain Conference ...
Washington, D.C., April 1, 2026 — The Digital Sovereignty Alliance (DSA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing clear and ethical public policy, research and education surrounding emerging technologies, today announced the successful conclusion of its participation in the 6th Penn Blockchain Conference as a Platinum Sponsor, held on March 27–28 at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia.
The conference and hackathon, organized by the University of Pennsylvania’s Blockchain Club, brought together students, developers, and industry leaders to explore the evolving role of decentralized technologies. Designed to bridge academia and industry, the event fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and supports the development of research-driven, real-world applications of blockchain systems.
On the second day of the conference, Adrian Wall, Managing Director of DSA, participated in a panel titled “Where Tokenization Actually Makes Sense,” moderated by Hannah Fang, President of the Penn Blockchain Club. He was joined by speakers Yuki Yuminaga, CEO of Tenbin Labs; Franklin Bi, General Partner at Pantera Capital; George Calle, Research Partner at Inversion; and Orest Gavryliak, Chief Legal Officer at 1inch.
The discussion focused on examining how global economies are adapting to digital assets and where real-world applications are beginning to take hold. Panelists explored practical use cases, regulatory considerations, and the conditions required for tokenized systems to move beyond experimentation and achieve meaningful adoption.
“Anyone can digitize an asset, but tokenization only works when it’s backed by liquidity, distribution, collateral utility, and real settlement. Otherwise, it’s just a wrapper,” said Adrian Wall. “In the near term, tokenized Treasuries are leading, but the market will ultimately decide what scales.”
DSA’s presence at the Penn Blockchain Conference underscores its commitment to engaging with emerging talent and supporting informed dialogue at the intersection of technology and public policy. The organization continues to collaborate with students, researchers, and industry stakeholders to advance education and policy frameworks that promote responsible innovation and digital sovereignty.
About Digital Sovereignty Alliance
The Digital Sovereignty Alliance (DSA) is a nonprofit social welfare organization committed to advocating for public policies that support ethical innovation in decentralized technologies, blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, and artificial intelligence. DSA conducts research, organizes educational events, and promotes policies that prioritize public welfare and digital sovereignty.