On January 23, 2026, Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, formally applied for a pan-European MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) license in Greece. This move positions the exchange to operate legally across the EU before the July 1 deadline for crypto firms.
The application, comes as the European Union enforces MiCA to standardize crypto regulations and improve consumer protection.
Binance has established a holding company in Athens and is actively working with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC). Major accounting firms, including Ernst & Young and KPMG, are assisting the regulator in reviewing the proposal.
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Despite speculation about Malta or Latvia, Binance opted for Greece, where authorities have agreed to fast-track the process. A company spokesperson said the MiCA framework offers regulatory clarity and a structured environment for innovation.
While Greece is not known as a hub for crypto activities, it also boasts an economy that is growing above the EU average and has robust financial controls. Should Binance be approved, it would almost certainly set up a large office and employ people in Greece, suggesting that it would be around for a long time.
The EU’s new regulation, called MiCA, is set to take effect in 2023, requiring that all crypto companies operating in the EU obtain a license by June 30, 2026. Companies that are non-compliant risk being forced to stop operating in various EU nations.
Binance is active in at least six European nations, where the company has been under scrutiny, including on-site visits to its French offices.
EU member states, led by France, are said to be concerned over the ‘passporting’ provisions of the MiCA regulation. Experts in the industry say that the market will be adversely affected if the provisions are changed at this juncture.
With the approval of the license for Binance in the European Union under the MiCA regime, European traders can look forward to a legal environment that is more transparent in the trading of their crypto assets.
Binance’s base in Greece indicates a long-term strategy for the exchange in the region, which can lead to the generation of employment opportunities in the area.
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