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EU Grants MiCA Licenses to 53 Crypto Firms: Circle, Crypto.com, and Coinbase Among the First
The European Union has officially granted licenses to a total of 53 crypto-related entities under its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. The recent approvals include both stablecoin issuers and crypto asset service providers, indicating significant progress in regulatory clarity.
Among the first batch of licensees are notable names such as Circle, Crypto.com, and Coinbase. This development is a testament to the industry’s push towards compliance with MiCA standards, which have now been implemented for six months in the case of CASPs and 12 months for stablecoin issuers.
The approved entities include both traditional financial firms like BBVA and Clearstream, alongside fintech players eToro and Trade Republic. The list also features crypto-native companies such as Coinbase, Kraken, OKX, and Bitpanda.
Notably, the Netherlands takes the lead in CASP licensing, followed closely by Spain, France, and Germany.
Hansen, a senior executive at Circle, emphasized that these developments signal momentum behind MiCA’s adoption. According to him, firms are actively positioning themselves to take advantage of passporting rights, which enables operations across all 30 EEA countries.
However, the ESMA registry reveals no approved asset-referenced token issuers thus far. Hansen pointed out that current market demand for such tokens remains relatively low. Conversely, over 30 whitepapers have been submitted by firms seeking to issue crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum under MiCA’s Title II requirements.
Furthermore, Italy’s CONSOB has flagged more than 35 companies as non-compliant CASPs on the EU watchlist. These entities are at risk of facing enforcement actions if they continue operating without the necessary licenses.
As a result, the regulatory framework enables clearer compliance paths for stablecoins and crypto services within the bloc. Furthermore, the deadline for MiCA licensing has ended in several jurisdictions, compelling more firms to complete their licensing procedures.
In conclusion, it is expected that the next update will be released by September as the landscape continues to evolve rapidly.
Source: blockonomi.com
