Introduction
European regulators are tightening the screws on crypto oversight as MiCA implementation accelerates across the bloc. Binance has formally filed for MiCA authorization in Greece and signaled a willingness to work with local regulators as rules take shape, while Francealer regulators flag several firms for operating without full licenses. The information landscape shows Greece yet to issue licenses, even as Germany and the Netherlands lead in approvals and Belgiumโs KBC Bank signals its own crypto ambitions under the evolving regime. These developments underscore a period of transition that could reshape exchange behavior and European crypto strategy for years to come.
Key Takeaways
- Binance has filed for a MiCA license in Greece and is engaging with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission.
- Franceโs regulator flagged Binance among crypto firms registered but not licensed under MiCA, with a July deadline for non-compliant operators.
- ESMA data indicate Greece has not issued any MiCA licenses yet; Germany and the Netherlands lead with 43 and 22 licenses respectively, while France has granted 11.
- KBC Belgium unveiled plans to offer BTC and ETH trading in February and aims to obtain a MiCA license in Belgium.
Sentiment: Bullish
Price impact: Positive. Regulatory clarity under MiCA is expanding the potential for compliant exchanges and financial institutions in Europe.
Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. The ongoing regulatory evolution under MiCA could support more stable expansion for compliant players in the EU.
Market context: MiCA is becoming a central axis for European crypto regulation, influencing exchange strategies and institutional participation across the region.
France flagged Binance among non-MiCA-licensed exchanges last week
The French authority overseeing markets cautioned that Binance was among 90 crypto companies registered but not licensed under MiCA. The regulator noted in late 2025 that Franceโs MiCA transition period ends on June 30, which would compel non-compliant firms to cease operations in July. The warning underscores the urgency for firms to align with the EU framework as the countdown to full enforcement intensifies.
Founded in 2017, Binance is the worldโs largest centralized exchange by trading turnover, with daily volumes historically hovering near the double-digit billions, based on data from CoinGecko. The company has repeatedly framed MiCA as a constructive step, arguing that the regime will bring greater regulatory clarity, stronger user protections, and a defined path for responsible innovation within Europeโs digital financial ecosystem.
Greece is yet to issue its first MiCA license
Public data from the European Securities and Markets Authority indicates that Greece has not issued a single MiCA license for a crypto-asset service provider to date. As of mid-January, Germany and the Netherlands led the EU in issued CASP MiCA licensesโ43 and 22 respectivelyโwhile France had granted 11 authorizations. The status highlights the uneven pace of regulatory rollout across member states as the MiCA regime takes hold.
Earlier this year, KBC โ one of Belgiumโs largest banks โ announced plans to launch Bitcoin and Ether trading in February and indicated it expected to obtain a MiCA license in Belgium, a country that has yet to issue its first authorizations under the framework. The Belgian move mirrors broader efforts by traditional financial institutions to participate more actively in crypto markets within Europeโs new regulatory perimeter.
These developments emphasize how MiCA is reshaping the European crypto landscape. Exchanges and financial institutions alike are navigating a regulatory horizon that promises greater clarity and consumer protections, even as the pace of approvals varies across member states. The overarching trend points toward a more cohesive EU frameworkโone that could accelerate legitimate crypto business while squeezing out less compliant operators.
