The world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, Binance, has stated that it will halt cryptocurrency services in several EU nations starting next week after failing to secure the regulatory approval needed to carry on with business in the bloc.
The business acknowledged that it had sought for a license in Greece under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets law, or MiCA, but it has subsequently withdrew that application, stating that it plans to resubmit through another EU member state.
Binance’s French branch “is no longer in a position to welcome new clients and from July 1, 2026, will no longer [offer] crypto asset services in France,” according to an email sent to French customers on Wednesday.” It later made it clear that the action was not exclusive to France. “Similar communications have been delivered to affected users in other EU markets,” the business announced on Thursday.
“Your assets are safe and secure, and will remain accessible at all times,” the firm reminded clients, reassuring them that their money would not be in danger.
A regulatory deadline that most exchanges missed
MiCA, which went into effect in 2024, created a uniform framework for trading cryptocurrency assets across the EU that addressed anti-money laundering requirements and investor protections. Exchanges were given until June 30, 2026, to get authorization from one of the bloc’s national regulators; the great majority have not met this deadline.
According to Binance, it withdrew its Greek application “after carefully considering the status and timeframe of the process in Greece, with our users’ interests at the heart.”” The company claimed to have interacted “constructively and in good faith” with Greek authorities, but since a formal decision was not expected before the transition period ended, it decided to look for licensing elsewhere. The business stated, “We have made the wise choice to proceed in a way that provides users with greater transparency and enables us to continue on a compliant, long-term route in Europe.”
When contacted on Thursday night, the Hellenic Capital Market Commission of Greece declined to comment.
