The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange is making a definitive play for regulatory permanence in Europe. Binance has submitted an application for a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license through Greece’s HCMC, the Capital Markets Commission, indicating a change in its business approach.
To achieve compliance by June 30, 2026, a deadline set for Binary in June 2026, Binary Greece Single Member S.A., an Athens-based holding corporation incorporated for an indefinite period, was formed. This move allows Binance to “passport” its services across all 27 EU member states, streamlining a patchwork of national registrations into a single, unified framework.
Navigating the Greek MiCA License Approval Process
The selection of Athens marks a departure from expectations that the firm might favor traditional hubs like Malta or Latvia. However, Greece offers a “fast-track” review process that has already drawn in Tier 1 consultancy firms. Reports indicate the HCMC has enlisted Ernst & Young and KPMG to assist in the rigorous vetting of the proposal.
For Binance, the decision is rooted in a commitment to transparency. A company spokesperson characterized the MiCA regime as providing “regulatory clarity,” noting that Greece’s economy, currently outperforming the EU average, offers a stable environment for financial innovation.
The stakes for this application are high as a critical regulatory window closes. Under MiCA, firms failing to secure a license by mid-year risk being shuttered across the continent. While Binance currently maintains a presence in several markets, including France, its history with national regulators has been complex.
In Paris, the firm remains under the watchful eye of the French Public Prosecutor’s Office following past compliance settlements. Obtaining the Greek authorization would grant Binance the legal shield it needs to market and operate freely, even as some member states lobby for more centralized oversight by the European Securities and Markets Authority.
Barring a radical shift in EU policy, the Athens filing positions the exchange to anchor its long-term future in European soil.
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