MiCA Fully Activates on July 1; Only 244 of 3,167 EU Crypto Providers Secure License, Eliminating 92% of Market

According to Traders Union reporting, the EU fully activated its Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation on July 1, 2026, requiring all crypto service providers to hold a license to serve clients across the 30-nation European Economic Area. Only 244 of 3,167 previously operating providers had secured ESMA-registered authorization by the deadline, eliminating over 92% of the market.

Germany led licensing with 57 authorizations, accounting for about 23% of all EU permits. France and the Netherlands each issued 26 licenses, meaning three countries control nearly half of all crypto licenses in the bloc. Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, and Romania had not issued a single MiCA license by June 30, according to ESMA registry data.