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EU MiCA licensing expands, spurs consolidation

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-07-27 11:54 UTC → 2026-07-31 11:49 UTC · added removed

Full MiCA enforcement began on 1 July 2026, requiring crypto‑service providers to hold a single EU licence that can be passported across all 27 member states. ESMA’s first EU‑wide supervisory inspection continues, focusing on custodial practices, key‑management and cyber‑incident response under DORA. The interim register now lists over 300 309 authorised CASPs – 309 after the July 24 July update that added fifteen new firms, including BNY SA/NV, the Belgian unit of BNY Mellon, and several banks and custodians from Germany, Denmark, Bulgaria, Latvia, Belgium, Cyprus, Liechtenstein SA/NV and the Netherlands. four new German providers. By the end of June roughly 244 licences were registered out of about 3,000 previously active firms, prompting smaller projects to consider exiting the bloc. Compliance costs, the EU Travel Rule and ongoing supervisory demands are straining balance sheets; industry executives warn that many licence‑holders may be absorbed by larger players. Gate Europe CEO Keld van Schreven warned that the post‑licensing environment is driving exits and noted a wave of mergers and acquisitions, with banks such as BNP Paribas and Deutsche Bank positioning to acquire mid‑size exchanges and custodians. On 22 July 2026 Greece’s In Greece, the Capital Market Commission issued its first MiCA licences on 22 July to Alpha Finance, Xenios Blockchain Group and Capital Wallet Greece, while BitPay secured a Dutch licence, gaining an EU passport for crypto‑payment services. The UK FCA is proposing to place crypto firms under the same regulatory framework as traditional financial institutions, further raising entry barriers barriers. Slovakia, which began applying MiCA on 30 December 2025, now authorises only six crypto‑service firms after a licensing sweep, with the National Bank warning that the rules do not guarantee customer fund safety. The local platform crypto4me promotes a fee‑free Dollar‑Cost‑Averaging service to help novice investors navigate volatility. On 29 July ESMA released a Q&A document clarifying how MiCA interacts with ESG ratings, MiFIR and favouring well‑capitalised operators, accelerating consolidation across Europe. crypto‑asset lending.

Versions

  1. 2026-07-31 11:49 UTC EU MiCA licensing expands, spurs consolidation
  2. 2026-07-27 11:54 UTC EU MiCA licensing expands, spurs consolidation
  3. 2026-07-26 10:57 UTC EU MiCA licensing expands, spurs consolidation

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