Some Cryptocurrency Exchanges May Disappear from the EU
From July 1, only crypto platforms with a MiCA-compliant CASP license will be allowed to serve EU customers.
Starting July 1, 2026, the European Union will fully enforce the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, marking a major shift for the crypto industry across Europe. While MiCA itself is not a license, it requires all companies offering crypto-related services to obtain a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license. Without it, platforms will no longer be permitted to provide services to customers in the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA).
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has confirmed that the deadline will not be extended. There will be no grace period, and companies waiting for regulatory approval will not be allowed to continue operating after July 1. From that date onward, only businesses that have already secured a CASP license will be legally authorized to offer crypto services within the EU.
However, the licensing process has progressed at different speeds across member states. While some countries have already approved their first CASP licenses, others have yet to issue any. As a result, certain crypto platforms could be forced to suspend operations or limit their services until they receive regulatory approval.
MiCA establishes a single regulatory framework for crypto assets across the European Union. It introduces common rules for crypto custody, trading, and exchange services, while also requiring firms to keep customer funds separate from company assets, maintain sufficient capital reserves, and meet strict governance and supervisory standards. Once granted, a CASP license allows a provider to operate throughout the entire EU under a single authorization.
Until now, more than 1,200 crypto companies have been operating under national registration systems that existed before MiCA came into force. According to Kraken, only a small percentage of these firms have successfully obtained a CASP license so far, and several EU member states have not issued a single license yet.
For crypto users, the changes mean it is now more important than ever to verify whether their exchange or crypto service provider holds a valid CASP license. Platforms that fail to obtain one will be required to suspend their services across the European Economic Area until they receive approval from the relevant regulator.
