ESMA adds 37 crypto firms to MiCA register in first post-deadline update

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) updated its interim MiCA register Friday, adding 37 licensed crypto-asset service providers to the list.

The update is the first since the MiCA transitional period closed on July 1, bringing the total number of licensed EU crypto providers to 280 from 243 the week before.

Among the new licensed companies are FalconX and Standard Chartered.

Standard Chartered secured its MiCA authorization through its Luxembourg subsidiary on June 25th. It also received an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license, both of which it said would allow the bank “a regulated entry point to offer digital asset services from Luxembourg” across the EU.

Institutional crypto trading firm FalconX received its MiCA authorization from Malta’s Financial Services Authority (MFSA) as announced on June 29th.

Other notable entrants include Sygnum Europe and Ronin EM, while the register of electronic money tokens (EMTs) added Crédit Agricole’s CACEIS.

Cyprus led the latest batch

Six of the 37 new authorizations came through Cyprus, the largest share in this update. France, Italy, and Malta each contributed five.

The Czech Republic and Spain added four apiece, Luxembourg three, the Netherlands two, and Germany, Liechtenstein, and Latvia each recorded one.

However, Germany leads in overall MiCA authorizations. Germany’s BaFin holds 58 total MiCA authorizations, which is the most of any EU regulator.

France reportedly follows with 31, the Netherlands with 26, and Malta and Cyprus each at roughly 20.

The register update included no changes to the list of approved asset-referenced token issuers, which remains empty. Also, the non-compliant entity list is still at 162.

EU founders without a license consider moving to UAE

Europe’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) was signed into law three years ago, with crypto firms given until July 1, 2026, to obtain full regulatory authorization or cease operating within the EU.

The largest crypto exchange, Binance, didn’t make the cut. The exchange pulled its application in Greece about a week ago, on July 1, informing EU users it would suspend certain services while it pursues authorization through another route, Cryptopolitan reported on June 30th.

“Our ambitions in Europe remain the same, and we are confident we will secure a MiCA license in the coming months,” Binance said.

OKX’s European CEO Erald Ghoos had predicted that 80% of crypto providers in the EU would not survive MiCA, and consequently would be forced to exit the market.

Roughly 3,000 crypto providers were previously operating in the EU. As the deadline drew nearer, most of the companies behind schedule began inquiring about the next friendliest jurisdiction, with many actively considering the UAE.