Fast Shift Limited, part of the Badalyan Brothers Group, has announced its authorisation as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). This milestone marks a significant expansion for the Group, providing a strategic gateway to the European Economic Area (EEA) and reinforces its commitment to high-standard regulatory governance.
The Group's international growth is built on two decades of methodical institution-building. The journey began with the foundational financial services of early pawn shop operations, which scaled into the sophisticated, regulated framework of Fast Credit. That commitment to institutional maturity culminated in the launch of Fast Bank in Armenia - an achievement that demanded navigating the rigorous governance standards of a full banking license. This trajectory of building compliant, regulated institutions serves as the bedrock for the company's latest milestone: securing an EMI license for Fast Shift. Fast Shift is not simply entering a new market; it is applying twenty years of proven regulatory discipline to connect Armenian innovation to Europe's most sophisticated financial markets.
This milestone arrives amidst a period of deepening Armenia-EU economic ties. During her recent visit to Yerevan (2 July 2026), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced substantial new trade support by proposing tariff-free access for around 80% of Armenian exports. These developments signal a strong commitment to a shared economic future, and Fast Shift is positioned to be an early, active participant in this integration, serving as the financial bridge to facilitate the growing trade and investment corridor between Armenia and the European Union.
"This authorisation marks a pivotal moment in our evolution, establishing Fast Shift as the vital bridge between Armenian innovation and the European financial ecosystem. By securing access to thirty EEA markets, we are now well positioned to provide Armenian businesses, our global diaspora and beyond, with the direct, compliant banking rails they need to operate at scale, effectively bridging the gap between emerging market potential and the world's most established financial infrastructure," said Vardan Khachatryan, CEO of Fast Shift Limited. "As the regulatory landscape for fintech becomes increasingly demanding, we view this rigorous authorisation process as a benchmark of our maturity. We are ready to operate and lead within the world's most sophisticated financial ecosystem."
Fast Shift will begin its service rollout in September 2026, offering dedicated IBANs to individuals and businesses, with SEPA, SEPA Instant, and SWIFT payments. In 2027, the firm will expand into card issuance and merchant acquiring. Looking ahead, Fast Shift is building toward compliant stablecoin issuance and cross-border remittances, leveraging the EMI license category under the MiCA framework.