Binance has filed an application for authorization under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework in Greece, signaling a fresh push to secure regulatory footing in the bloc as national regulators move closer to enforcing new compliance deadlines.
The exchange confirmed that it has submitted its request to Greece’s financial watchdog, the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC), and is engaging with the regulator as the MiCA regime takes shape across Europe. Binance said it views the regulatory process as an opportunity to support the long-term development of the EU’s digital asset market.
A race against MiCA deadlines
The application comes amid rising pressure on crypto firms operating in Europe’s transitional period. France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) warned on Jan. 13 that Binance was among dozens of registered crypto companies that still lack MiCA authorization. The French regulator said firms were notified in late 2025 that the transition period ends on June 30, meaning companies without approval may be forced to halt operations from July.
MiCA, which entered into full effect in late 2024, aims to harmonize crypto regulation across the EU by introducing uniform licensing standards for crypto-asset service providers, stronger consumer protections, and clearer rules for digital asset markets.
Greece’s slow start contrasts with other EU states
Despite Binance’s move, Greece has yet to issue a single MiCA license to a crypto-asset service provider, according to data from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). In contrast, Germany and the Netherlands have emerged as early leaders in licensing approvals, with 43 and 22 authorizations respectively, while France has issued 11.
The uneven pace highlights a broader challenge for the EU: while MiCA is designed as a unified regulatory framework, implementation remains uneven across member states, creating uncertainty for companies navigating national approval processes.
Broader industry shift toward compliance
Binance’s regulatory push in Greece reflects a wider trend among crypto firms seeking to align with MiCA before enforcement deadlines tighten. Traditional financial institutions are also preparing to operate under the framework. Belgium’s KBC bank recently announced plans to launch Bitcoin and Ether trading in February, expecting to secure MiCA authorization in Belgium, which has not yet issued its first license under the regime.
Binance’s regulatory history under the spotlight
The exchange’s latest application comes against a backdrop of longstanding scrutiny from European regulators. Several EU member states flagged Binance as operating without proper registration as early as 2021, and regulatory warnings continued as oversight intensified.
In 2023, Binance co-founder and former chief executive Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty in the United States to money-laundering charges and served a four-month prison sentence, a case that underscored the global push to tighten compliance standards in the crypto sector.
What happens next
Binance’s bid for authorization in Greece will be closely watched by regulators and industry participants as the MiCA deadline approaches. Approval could strengthen the exchange’s position in the European market, while delays or rejections could force strategic adjustments in how it operates across the bloc.
More broadly, the outcome will test whether MiCA can deliver on its promise of a unified regulatory framework at a time when crypto firms face mounting pressure to meet increasingly strict compliance expectations.
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