Binance Applies for MiCA License in Greece as EU Deadlines Approach

Binance has submitted an application for authorization under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in Greece, as regulators across the bloc warn that compliance deadlines are drawing closer. A Binance spokesperson confirmed that the exchange has filed for a MiCA license and is currently working with Greece’s financial watchdog, the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC). According to the company, it views MiCA as a constructive step that brings regulatory clarity, stronger user protections, and a clear framework for sustainable innovation across Europe’s digital finance sector.

The move comes as pressure mounts on crypto firms operating in the EU to formalize their regulatory status. Binance emphasized that it welcomes closer cooperation with European regulators and sees the new framework as an opportunity to support the long-term growth of the region’s crypto ecosystem.

France Flags Binance Amid Transition Period Warnings

The application in Greece follows a warning issued by France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on January 13, which listed Binance among dozens of crypto companies registered in France but not yet licensed under MiCA. The AMF reminded firms that the country’s transition period will end on June 30, after which non-compliant companies will be required to halt operations starting in July.

Founded in 2017, Binance remains the world’s largest centralized crypto exchange by trading volume, with reported daily turnover averaging nearly $12 billion. As MiCA enforcement accelerates, major exchanges are increasingly under scrutiny to ensure they can continue operating legally within the EU.

Greece Yet to Issue MiCA Licenses as EU Adoption Varies

Despite Binance’s application, Greece has not yet issued a single MiCA license to a crypto-asset service provider, according to data from the European Securities and Markets Authority. In contrast, Germany and the Netherlands currently lead the EU in MiCA authorizations, while France has granted a smaller number of licenses so far.

The broader regulatory shift is also influencing traditional financial institutions. Recently, Belgian banking giant KBC announced plans to launch Bitcoin and Ether trading in February, stating that it expects to secure a MiCA license in Belgium — another country that has yet to issue its first authorization under the framework. As deadlines near, both crypto-native firms and established banks are moving quickly to position themselves within Europe’s new regulatory landscape.