Recently, investors Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss started their own bitcoin exchange, Gemini. Now that exchange is one of the first to receive a BitLicense from the New York State Department of Financial Services, according to a press release.

Every virtual currency company has to apply for and receive a BitLicense in order to operate in New York. To date, the NYDFS has received 25 applications and has approved two.

"In New York, we are continuing to move forward on licensing and chartering virtual currency firms," said Anthony Albanese, acting superintendent of Financial Services. "Smart, targeted regulation that helps protect consumers and prevent illicit activity is vital to the long-term future of this industry."