Binance aims for MiCA approval in Greece as EU deadline approaches

    Crypto AI Updates04 mins


    Binance has filed an application for authorization under the European Union’s Markets in Cryptocurrency Regulation (MiCA) in Greece, as regulators warn that compliance deadlines are approaching.

    A Binance spokesperson confirmed to Cointelegraph on Friday that the exchange has applied for a MiCA license in Greece and is working with the country’s financial regulator, the Hellenic Capital Markets Commission (HCMC).

    “As this new regulation takes shape in the EU, we welcome the opportunity to work closely with Ho Chi Minh City and look forward to contributing to the long-term growth of the EU’s European digital financial ecosystem,” said a representative of the exchange.

    France last week flagged Binance as an exchange not authorized by MiCA.

    The news comes after France’s Financial Markets Authority (AMF) warned on January 13 that Binance was among 90 crypto companies that are registered but not licensed under MiCA.

    The regulator said it had notified businesses at the end of 2025 that France’s MiCA transition period will end on June 30 and those that are not compliant will cease operations in July.

    Related: Moldova moves to regulate virtual currencies based on EU-style MiCA rules

    Founded in 2017, Binance is the world’s largest centralized exchange (CEX) by trading volume, with an average daily reported trading volume of $11.9 billion, according to CoinGecko.

    France, Business, Europe, Greece, Binance, MiCA
    Top 5 crypto exchanges by trading volume as of Friday. Source: CoinGecko

    “We see MiCA as a positive and important milestone for the industry, providing regulatory clarity, stronger user protections, and a clear framework for responsible innovation,” a Binance spokesperson said.

    Greece has not yet issued its first MiCA license

    According to data published by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), Greece has so far not issued a single MiCA license to crypto asset service providers (CASPs).

    As of January 15, Germany and the Netherlands lead the EU in the number of CASP MiCA licenses issued with 43 and 22, respectively, while France’s AMF has granted 11 licenses.

    France, Business, Europe, Greece, Binance, MiCA
    Ranking of EU member countries by number of MiCA licenses issued as of January 15th. Source: ESMA

    Last Friday, KBC, one of Belgium’s largest banks, announced plans to start trading Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) in February.

    The bank said it plans to obtain a MiCA license in Belgium, which has not yet issued its first authorization under this framework.