Circle Granted First BitLicense by NYDFS

Bitcoin wallet Circle says it has become the first company to receive a BitLicense from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).

According to a blog post from the company today, Circle will now be able to serve customers in New York under the divisive regulatory framework, applications for which closed on 8th August.

In conjunction with news, the company is releasing a host of updates to its iOS, Android and web apps, now named 'Circle Pay'.

Alongside other functionality, Circle customers in the US can now hold, send and request dollars from their contacts and refuel their account by bank transfer or credit card.

The company's blog post reads:

"You can enjoy the benefits of bitcoin without ever holding or buying bitcoin yourself, and without being exposed to bitcoin price volatility."

Users also have the ability to toggle between bitcoin and dollars for free, with more currencies expected in the coming months.

'Still not perfect'

Circle was one of nine well-known bitcoin companies who declared they would be applying for the license. The NYDFS confirmed in early August it had received a total of 22 applications.

A number of firms, including ShapeShift, have boycotted the framework by blocking New York customers. Circle itself had once threatened this action, but says the issues it had have largely been resolved.

"Though still not perfect, the BitLicense and its requirements became clear and irrefutable prerequisites for serving and supporting everyone in New York," it said, concluding:

"We want to help people everywhere around the globe, and that includes New Yorkers."

Further Reading: Buy Our BitLicense Research Report

Circle Pay app image via Circle