Binance Has No MiCA Licence, and EU Regulators Are Asking How It Still Serves Users
Binance withdrew its application for an EU crypto licence on 24 June and, according to later reports, still serves EU customers. On 1 October the Financial Times reported that the European securities regulator and several national authorities are asking how. Here is what is confirmed, what is reported and where the accounts differ.
Quick Take
- On 24 June 2026 Binance said it had withdrawn its MiCA application with Greece’s Hellenic Capital Market Commission and would seek authorisation in another EU member state.
- The MiCA transition period ended on 1 July 2026. Binance has no MiCA licence; it says it is working toward one and has given no timeline.
- On 1 October the Financial Times reported that ESMA and regulators in France, Germany and Greece are asking whether Binance can rely on the “reverse solicitation” exemption. No enforcement has been reported.
- Early reports said EU service would stop on 1 July; later reports say Binance still serves EU customers. We show both and do not pick a side.
What Binance Said in June
In a post dated 24 June 2026 titled “Important Update for Our European Users”, Binance said it had withdrawn its MiCA application with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission in Greece. It gave the lack of a formal Greek decision as the transition period neared its end, said it would seek authorisation in another member state, and said it was “confident we will secure authorization in another EU Member State in the coming months”. It also said some users may be affected depending on their country and account status and that it would contact them directly.
Two news reports on 26 June (Ara, citing Reuters and The Public) said the transition period was ending and that Binance would not receive a licence in time.
What Changed on 1 July
From 1 July 2026 crypto firms serving EU customers need a MiCA licence, and regulators had said there would be no extension (Ara, The Public). Binance has none. Binance says it is “actively working toward becoming MiCA-authorised”, and DailyCoin reports it is pursuing a licence through France.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jun 2026 | Binance withdraws its Greek MiCA application | Binance |
| 1 Jul 2026 | MiCA transition period ends | Ara, The Public |
| 1 Oct 2026 | Financial Times reports regulator questions | DailyCoin, Crypto Briefing, Coinpaprika |
What Regulators Are Asking
According to the Financial Times report as relayed by DailyCoin, Crypto Briefing and Coinpaprika, ESMA and regulators in France, Germany and Greece are examining Binance’s EU operations, and some have asked it for information. The question is whether Binance can rely on “reverse solicitation”, an exemption for customers who approach a firm on their own initiative without being marketed to.
ESMA is quoted as saying the exemption must be interpreted very narrowly and cannot be used to circumvent MiCA. Crypto Briefing and Coinpaprika report that Binance’s national registrations in France, Spain and Poland have lapsed, and all three say some customers are served through a Binance entity in Abu Dhabi that was authorised in December 2025. DailyCoin adds that MiCA treats such an entity as a third-country firm without passporting rights.
The reports say regulators could impose fines or other measures if they are not satisfied. None of the three reports describes any action taken so far, and ESMA had announced no formal action at the time.
Where the Reports Differ
The 26 June reports said Binance would stop serving EU customers from 1 July. The 1 October reports say it “continues serving EU customers”. Binance’s own post said only that some users may be affected depending on country and account status. The three October reports all trace back to one Financial Times article, so they are not three independent confirmations. We could not verify the current state ourselves. Check the notices in your own account.
📌 In our view: the licence gap is confirmed by Binance’s own post and later reporting. The open question is the legal basis for continued service, and that is a matter for the regulators, not for us. We will update this article if ESMA or a national authority publishes a decision.
What It Means for Players
💡 What this means for players: MiCA applies to exchanges and wallet providers, not to casinos. If you live in the EU and use an exchange to buy a coin for a deposit, a provider without a MiCA licence cannot offer the protections that come with one, so read the notices in your account and decide where you want to hold funds. Outside the EU the MiCA rules do not apply, but local rules do. This is not financial advice. See our Binance guide and wallet security basics.
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18+ only. Unsubscribe any time. See our privacy policy.FAQ
Does Binance have a MiCA licence?
No. Binance withdrew its Greek MiCA application on 24 June 2026 and says it is working toward authorisation in another EU member state. It has given no timeline.
Did Binance stop serving EU customers on 1 July 2026?
Reports differ. Early reports said service would stop; a Financial Times report on 1 October, relayed by DailyCoin, Crypto Briefing and Coinpaprika, says Binance still serves EU customers. Binance said some users may be affected depending on country and account status.
What is reverse solicitation?
An exemption for customers who approach a firm on their own initiative rather than being marketed to. ESMA says it must be interpreted very narrowly and cannot be used to circumvent MiCA.
Is Binance under formal investigation in the EU?
The Financial Times reported that ESMA and regulators in France, Germany and Greece are asking questions and some have requested information. No formal enforcement action has been reported.
Does MiCA apply to crypto casinos?
MiCA regulates crypto-asset service providers such as exchanges and custodians. Casinos are covered by gambling law in each country.
Sources
↗ Binance — Important Update for Our European Users (24 Jun 2026) ↗ Ara — Binance clashes with European regulation (26 Jun 2026) ↗ The Public — Binance will cease providing services to EU customers (26 Jun 2026) ↗ DailyCoin — Binance faces fresh EU scrutiny (1 Oct 2026) ↗ Crypto Briefing — EU regulators question Binance over unlicensed operations (1 Oct 2026) ↗ Coinpaprika — Binance lost its EU licence but kept its users18+ only. Gambling laws differ by country and change quickly — check the rules where you live. If gambling stops being fun, BeGambleAware and GamCare offer free, confidential support.