MiCA Transition Period Countdown: Disparities in Licensing Progress Across EU Countries, Exchanges Competing in Compliance

GasWrangler · 2026-01-23T09:14:11+00:00

A leading exchange has submitted an authorization application to Greek regulators under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). Due to the French Financial Markets Authority warning that approximately 90 registered crypto companies have not yet obtained licenses, pressure is gradually increasing. Greece has not yet issued any MiCA licenses, and exchanges need to wait in line.

GasWrangler

2026-01-23 09:14:11

Abstract generation in progress

【Blockchain Rhythm】 Regulatory developments have made new progress. A major exchange recently submitted an authorization application to the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) in Greece under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).

What is the background of this application? The French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) issued a warning on January 13, stating that about 90 registered crypto companies, including this exchange, have not yet obtained their MiCA licenses. With France’s MiCA transition period set to end on June 30, companies that haven’t received compliance authorization must cease operations before July. The pressure is significant.

Comparing the progress across European countries highlights the gap even more. According to data from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), Germany has issued 43 MiCA licenses, the Netherlands 22, but Greece has not issued a single one so far. This means that exchanges that submitted applications in Greece still have to wait in line.

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DataOnlooker

· 7h ago

Greece is indeed extremely slow, not a single license has been issued. The exchange probably has some kind of plan by submitting applications in Greece. Germany has 43 licenses and the Netherlands 22, the gap is clear. The waiting period will be very tough.

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TopEscapeArtist

· 7h ago

The issue of Greece having zero licenses is a bit outrageous. Is this a matter of leniency or are there problems with the approval process? Germany has 43, the Netherlands 22, and Greece has none. The gap is too obvious. Exchanges submitting applications to Greece are probably being pressured. The June 30th deadline is approaching, and it seems like a wave of companies will flock to Greece to try their luck. But on the other hand, how much does this differentiated regulation affect users' choices of exchanges?

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GweiTooHigh

· 7h ago

Greece's move is indeed brilliant. First freezing licenses, then watching who tries to apply in a provocative manner, it’s a textbook-level regulatory tactic. Germany has 43 licenses, the Netherlands 22, and Greece zero. This gap is not due to slow progress; it’s essentially selective leniency. I suspect some exchanges submitting applications in Greece are just gambling. To put it nicely, they’re trying to bottom out the European market; to be blunt, they’re testing the regulatory bottom line.

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TopBuyerForever

· 7h ago

The Greek zero-license issue is really outrageous. Germany has 43, the Netherlands 22, and people are already lining up until mid-year. Are the top exchanges betting that Greece will process licenses quickly? I think it's unlikely.

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BetterLuckyThanSmart

· 7h ago

Greece really doesn't have any licenses at all, it feels more like gambling.

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ApeShotFirst

· 7h ago

Greece is really holding things up; not a single license has been issued, and applicants must be very anxious. Germany has 43 licenses, the Netherlands 22, and progress is completely out of sync. This round of MiCA is truly a race for compliance.

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