FX.co ★ Binance seeks new EU base as Greek‑filed MiCA application is turned down

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance will wind down operations in European Union countries from July 1. Users in Poland, Italy, Spain, and France — states where the platform held local licenses — have already received notifications of service termination and instructions on how to withdraw funds.

The move follows a failed attempt by Binance to legalize its operations under new rules. Under the EU Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) regulation, all industry firms were required to obtain a single pan‑European license by July 1 or face severe sanctions. The exchange’s application, filed through Greek regulators in 2025, was officially rejected.

Binance is now seeking a fallback jurisdiction. Company representatives told CNBC they plan to obtain authorization in another EU country. According to the Financial Times, they are betting on France, but the legalization process is likely to stretch well beyond the July deadline. The situation is complicated by the fact that French authorities opened an investigation into the exchange in 2025 on suspicions of facilitating money laundering. The company categorically denies those allegations.

Officially, Binance is trying to save face. In comments to CNBC, the exchange pledged to take all necessary steps to comply with the law by July 1. The company said it will keep clients informed and expects to obtain the sought‑after European license in the coming months.