The exchange said customer assets are still safe and accessible while it seeks approval through another EU member state, with France expected to become its next licensing destination. MiCA’s transition period is ending, which requires crypto firms to hold regulatory approval to continue operating across the bloc.
Binance to Stop Serving EU Users
Binance will stop providing services to clients in the European Union from July 1 after failing to secure authorization under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework before the regulatory deadline.
According to a report by the Financial Times, Binance has already informed customers in several European countries, including Poland, Italy, Spain, and France, that they may be affected by the changes. Some users received emails explaining how they could withdraw their funds if necessary.
Despite these notifications, Binance made it clear that it is not asking customers to remove their assets before the July 1 deadline. The exchange assured users that their funds are safe and secure, and that they will continue to have access to their assets throughout the transition.
Binance previously sought authorization through Greece, hoping to secure a licence that would allow it to offer services throughout the European Economic Area under MiCA's passporting rules. However, the Financial Times reported that the application was rejected last week.
Binance disputed that account by saying it never received a formal decision from the Greek authorities and instead chose to withdraw its own application. The company indicated that it now plans to pursue authorization in another EU member state, with France expected to become its preferred licensing destination.
Binance stated that it is actively working toward obtaining the necessary regulatory approval and is looking for an alternative pathway that would allow it to resume full operations in the EU under the new regulatory framework.
The July 1 deadline is a major milestone for the European crypto industry. MiCA establishes a unified regulatory framework for digital asset companies across all EU member states, replacing the patchwork of national rules that previously governed the sector. Once authorized in a single member state, crypto firms can use passporting rights to offer services across the entire European Union without needing separate licences in each country.
Statement from ESMA
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) warned consumers that not every crypto service provider will successfully obtain authorization before the transition period ends. The regulator advised users to verify whether their chosen provider appears on the official list of authorized firms and explained that companies without approval must stop offering regulated crypto services.
MiCA is seen as one of the world's most comprehensive crypto regulatory frameworks. While the rules are expected to provide more legal certainty and strengthen consumer protections in the European market, they also introduce stricter compliance requirements and higher operational costs for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital asset businesses in the region.
