Can I use MEXC and a new exchange at the same time?

Yes. You can open an account on a MiCA-compliant exchange now, transfer your assets, and close or simply stop using MEXC. There is no regulatory requirement to close your MEXC account, but migrating before 1 July 2026 avoids the risk of service disruption.

⚖️ MiCA Regulation 26 April 2026 · 8 min read

Best MEXC Alternatives for EU Users in 2026: MiCA-Compliant Picks

Q: Is MEXC banned in Europe?

MEXC is not currently banned across the EU, but it has no MiCA CASP licence and will lose the legal right to offer crypto services to EU residents after 1 July 2026. The Netherlands' AFM has already threatened fines, and Italy's CONSOB ordered MEXC to cease services to Italian residents in November 2023. Users in Germany, Austria, and Ireland should note that national grandfathering periods already expired in December 2025.

Q: Which MEXC alternative has the most altcoins?

Bybit offers 600+ cryptocurrencies under its full MiCA CASP licence (FMA Austria), making it the closest equivalent to MEXC in terms of altcoin selection. Binance has 490+ assets under its HCMC Greece licence. Both are significantly larger than Kraken, Bitvavo, or Coinbase in terms of available tokens.

Q: Does migrating from MEXC trigger a taxable event?

Moving assets between exchanges does not trigger capital gains tax in most EU jurisdictions — tax events occur when you sell crypto for fiat or swap between cryptocurrencies. However, tax rules vary by country. Consult a qualified crypto tax advisor in your jurisdiction before making decisions based on this information.

MEXC has no MiCA CASP licence and will be unable to legally serve EU users after 1 July 2026. Here are the 5 best alternatives — plus a practical step-by-step migration guide.

⏰ 65 days remaining: The EU MiCA CASP deadline is 1 July 2026. MEXC has no licence and no confirmed application in any EU jurisdiction. Migrate your funds before access may be restricted.

Why MEXC Is Exiting the European Union

The EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation requires all exchanges offering services to EU residents to hold a CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) licence from a national regulator by 1 July 2026. Without it, operating in the EU becomes illegal.

MEXC has not filed a CASP application in any EU member state. Key enforcement signals:

🇳🇱 AFM Netherlands — has publicly threatened to fine MEXC for operating without a licence
🇮🇹 CONSOB Italy — ordered MEXC to cease all services to Italian residents in November 2023
🇩🇪 Germany, Austria, Ireland — national grandfathering periods already expired December 2025; MEXC has been operating in a grey zone since then

After 1 July 2026, MEXC users in the EU may face:

Loss of EUR/SEPA banking integration (withdrawals to your bank account blocked)
Account access restrictions in some countries
No regulatory protections if the exchange is hacked or becomes insolvent

The safest course of action is to migrate to a MiCA-licensed exchange before the deadline. The 5 alternatives below are all fully authorized.

Top 5 MiCA-Compliant Alternatives to MEXC

All five exchanges below hold a full MiCA CASP licence valid across all 27 EU member states. They cover the main use cases MEXC users rely on: altcoin variety, low fees, and staking.

Exchange	MiCA Status	Regulator	Maker Fee	Assets	Best For
Binance	✅ CASP	HCMC Greece	0.10%	490+	Largest selection, competitive fees
Bybit	✅ CASP	FMA Austria	0.10%	600+	Most altcoins, copy trading
Kraken	✅ CASP	CBI Ireland	0.16%	400+	Security, staking, institutional
Bitvavo	✅ CASP	AFM Netherlands	0%	250+	Lowest fees, EUR-native
Coinbase	✅ CASP	CBI Ireland	0.40%	250+	Beginners, EUR support

1. Binance — Largest Selection Under MiCA

Binance obtained its MiCA CASP licence from Greece's HCMC in April 2026 — the most recently authorized major exchange. With 490+ assets and fees starting at 0.10% (0.075% with BNB discount), it's the closest match to MEXC's asset depth. Full EUR SEPA support, advanced trading tools, and a proven staking programme. Best for: MEXC users who want a similar breadth of assets without sacrificing MiCA compliance.

2. Bybit — Most Altcoins on a Licensed Exchange

Bybit is licensed by Austria's FMA (CASP) and offers 600+ cryptocurrencies — the widest selection among MiCA-compliant exchanges. Standard maker/taker fee is 0.10%/0.10%. Known for its copy trading feature (mirror professional traders automatically) and a strong derivatives platform. Best for: MEXC users who trade altcoins and want the most tokens available under a licensed EU entity.

3. Kraken — Security-First Alternative

Kraken is licensed by Ireland's CBI (CASP) and is the most security-focused exchange on this list — never hacked in 15+ years of operation. Maker fees from 0.16% (dropping to 0.02% at higher volumes). Kraken offers on-chain staking (ETH, SOL, DOT) with competitive APY and excellent EUR SEPA integration. Best for: MEXC users who prioritize safety, staking, or institutional-grade services.

4. Bitvavo — Lowest Fees, EU-Native

Bitvavo is licensed by the Netherlands' AFM and offers a 0% maker fee — the lowest on this list. As a Dutch platform built for European users, it has the smoothest EUR onboarding: free SEPA and SEPA Instant deposits, 250+ assets, and a clean regulatory record. Best for: DCA investors and low-volume traders who want the cheapest route to MiCA compliance.

5. Coinbase — Regulated, Beginner-Friendly

Coinbase is licensed by Ireland's CBI (CASP) and is the most beginner-friendly fully regulated exchange. Fees are higher (0.40% maker on Coinbase Advanced), but the interface is clean and EUR support is seamless. 250+ assets. Best for: MEXC users new to MiCA-licensed platforms who want the simplest migration experience.

How to Migrate from MEXC: Step-by-Step Guide

This migration guide walks you through moving your assets from MEXC to a MiCA-compliant exchange safely and efficiently. The whole process typically takes 30–60 minutes.

Export Your MEXC Transaction History

Go to MEXC → Account → Orders → Export. Download your full spot and futures trade history as CSV. Keep this file — you'll need it for tax reporting. Some EU countries require you to report crypto-to-crypto trades, so having complete records is essential.

Open Your New Exchange Account

Register on your chosen alternative (Binance, Bybit, Kraken, Bitvavo, or Coinbase). Enable 2FA immediately using an authenticator app — not SMS. Complete KYC verification (identity document + selfie) — this is required under MiCA and ensures regulatory protection for your funds.

Cancel Open Orders on MEXC

Before withdrawing, cancel all open limit orders and close any open futures/margin positions on MEXC. This frees up your collateral and ensures nothing is stuck in transit. Check the "Open Orders" tab on both Spot and Futures dashboards.

Consolidate Small Altcoins (Optional)

If you hold many small altcoins, consider swapping them to BTC, ETH, or USDT before withdrawing. Withdrawal fees on low-liquidity tokens can be disproportionately high, and some small tokens may not be listed on your new exchange. Consolidating saves on fees and simplifies the transfer.

Withdraw Assets to Your New Exchange

On MEXC, go to Wallet → Withdraw. Enter the deposit address from your new exchange — always copy-paste, never type manually. Select the correct network (e.g., BEP-20, ERC-20, TRC-20 — match what your new exchange supports for that asset). Start with a small test withdrawal, verify it arrives, then transfer the rest. Network fees are paid in the native coin (BNB for BEP-20, ETH for ERC-20).

Confirm Arrival and Set Up Your New Account

Verify all assets arrived on your new exchange. Set up a withdrawal whitelist (if available) and enable email notifications for withdrawals. Your migration is complete — you now hold assets on a fully MiCA-licensed exchange with EU regulatory protections.

💡 Pro tip: Do not wait until late June to migrate. Exchange networks get congested as deadlines approach. Start now — the process takes less than an hour and eliminates the July 1 risk entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MEXC banned in Europe?

MEXC is not currently banned across the EU, but it has no MiCA CASP licence and will lose the legal right to serve EU residents after 1 July 2026. The Netherlands' AFM has threatened fines and Italy's CONSOB ordered service cessation in 2023. Users in Germany, Austria, and Ireland are in the highest-risk group — national grandfathering periods there expired in December 2025. If you are in any EU country, migrating to a licensed exchange is the prudent course of action.

What happens to my MEXC account after 1 July 2026?

Without a MiCA licence, MEXC may face enforcement actions from EU regulators. The practical consequences for users could include: loss of EUR/SEPA banking integration (making it impossible to withdraw funds to your bank), account access restrictions in specific countries, or the exchange deciding to voluntarily exit the EU market and sending withdrawal notices. The ESMA has clarified that unauthorized exchanges must have orderly wind-down plans in place before July 1. Migrating your funds before the deadline is the only way to guarantee uninterrupted access.

Which MEXC alternative has the most altcoins?

Bybit leads with 600+ cryptocurrencies under its FMA Austria CASP licence — the broadest altcoin selection among fully MiCA-compliant exchanges. Binance comes second with 490+ assets under its HCMC Greece licence. If you rely on MEXC primarily for access to emerging altcoins, Bybit is the closest like-for-like replacement with full EU regulatory coverage.

Does migrating from MEXC trigger a taxable event?

Transferring the same asset between exchanges (e.g., BTC on MEXC → BTC on Kraken) is generally not a taxable event in most EU jurisdictions — no disposal of crypto occurs, so no capital gain is realised. However, if you swap altcoins to BTC/ETH before withdrawing (Step 4 above), those swaps are taxable crypto-to-crypto transactions. Tax rules vary significantly between EU countries. Always consult a qualified crypto tax advisor. Read our DAC8 crypto tax guide for EU reporting context.

Can I use MEXC and a new exchange simultaneously?

Yes. You can open a new MiCA-compliant account and move assets gradually while keeping MEXC active. There is no rule against holding multiple exchange accounts. However, we recommend completing the migration before 1 July 2026 to avoid any risk of SEPA disruption or access restrictions that may come with enforcement actions against MEXC in your country.

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Important Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Regulatory situations can change — always verify the current MiCA status of any exchange on the official ESMA CASP register before making decisions. Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risk of loss.

Compliance status and fee data verified April 2026. This page contains affiliate links — see our affiliate disclosure.