Single Market Passporting

Definition ∞ Single market passporting allows a financial firm authorized in one European Union country to operate across other EU countries without needing separate authorizations. This regulatory mechanism permits financial service providers legally established in one European Economic Area (EEA) member state to offer their services throughout the entire EEA without requiring additional licenses in each individual country. It streamlines cross-border operations, reduces administrative burdens, and promotes competition within the European single market. This principle relies on mutual recognition of national regulatory oversight.
Context ∞ The concept of single market passporting is highly relevant to the evolving regulatory landscape for digital assets in the European Union, particularly with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. News reports often discuss how MiCA aims to enable a form of passporting for crypto-asset service providers, allowing them to operate across the EU with a single authorization. This development is expected to foster a more unified and competitive European crypto market.