MiCA deadline 1 July: does your crypto platform have a license?

On 1 July 2026, the transition period of MiCA, the European crypto law, ends across the entire EU. From that date, only providers with valid MiCA status may continue offering services to European customers. Anyone holding crypto at a platform without a license may face restricted access, blocked deposits or a forced migration to another entity.

What exactly changes?

MiCA has applied since 30 December 2024, but existing providers could temporarily continue operating in some EU countries under national transitional law. That leeway now disappears for good. European regulator ESMA expects unauthorized parties to cease their services to EU customers and execute their wind-down plans.

For Dutch users this is largely already the reality: the Dutch transition regime ended on 30 June 2025. Platforms wanting to remain active here therefore already needed a MiCA license or notification. In countries like Belgium, the transition regime did run until the end of June 2026 — which is why the market has felt uneven until now.

A well-known brand is not a license

The biggest misconception: a big brand name does not automatically mean you fall under MiCA protection. What matters is the legal entity that serves your account. An international exchange may have a licensed EU entity, while some customers are still contracted through an offshore entity.

This is what you can check yourself now

Check in your account documentation or terms and conditions which legal entity serves your account. Then look up that full company name in ESMA's MiCA register or with the AFM. Also watch for migration notices: some platforms ask customers to agree to a switch to an EU entity — in that case, check whether that entity is actually licensed.

Unsure about your provider? Then moving (part of) your assets to a self-hosted wallet can reduce platform risk. Note: you are then responsible for your own keys and backups.

What can happen after 1 July?

Unlicensed providers may have to offboard EU customers, block new deposits or migrate accounts. In some countries, enforcement can be tough; the French regulator AMF even warned of criminal sanctions. The biggest risk for users is operational: delayed withdrawals, late communication and uncertainty about the protection of funds. Waiting until the last week is therefore unwise.

Source: CryptoBenelux, ESMA, AFM

Note: Investing in cryptocurrencies carries significant risks. You can lose your stake.