⚠️ Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. The regulatory situation is evolving — always verify the current authorization status of an exchange on the official regulator's website before making financial decisions.
The MiCA Regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets) is the European regulatory framework that governs exchanges and crypto-asset service providers in the European Union. From July 1, 2026, all platforms operating in the EU must hold CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) authorization issued by a regulatory authority of an EU Member State.
The single passport principle ensures that authorization obtained in a single Member State is valid across all 27 EU countries. This means an exchange authorized in Luxembourg can legally offer services to users in Italy, Germany, Spain, and all other Member States without additional national licenses.
📋 How to read this guide: The CASP status reported here reflects information available in April 2026. The situation is dynamic — some applications are still under review. Updated periodically.
Table: Exchanges and MiCA Status (April 2026)
📊 Update April 21, 2026: The ESMA CASP registry (European Securities and Markets Authority) counts 184 authorized providers across the entire EU. Of these, 14 have specific authorization to operate a centralized exchange (CEX): Coinbase, Kraken, eToro, Bitvavo, Bybit EU, OKX, Bitstamp, Crypto.com, Gemini, Bitpanda, Revolut Digital Assets, Gate.io EU, One Trading Exchange, KuCoin EU Exchange.
⚠️ YMYL Note: This table is based on the official ESMA CASP Registry (esma.europa.eu). The registry updates weekly. Always verify current status on the official ESMA site before making financial decisions.
| Exchange | MiCA Status | Authorizing Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | ✅ Authorized | Luxembourg | NASDAQ-listed, passported license across entire EU |
| Kraken | ✅ Authorized | Ireland (Central Bank) | Strong security track record: never hacked since 2011 |
| eToro | ✅ Authorized | Cyprus (CySEC) | MiCA CySEC from February 2025. OAM ✅ Italy, Banco de España ✅. World-leading copy trading (38M users) |
| Bitvavo | ✅ Authorized | Netherlands (AFM) | First Dutch MiCA exchange. Competitive fees (0.15–0.25%). Strong in NL, BE, growing in IT/DE/ES |
| Bybit EU | ✅ Authorized | Austria (FMA) | Vienna HQ; passported across all 29 EEA states. OAM ✅ Italy |
| OKX | ✅ Authorized | Malta (MFSA) | First global exchange with full MiCA license. Also PSD2 license (OKX Card/Pay EU) |
| Bitstamp | ✅ Authorized | Luxembourg (CSSF) | One of the oldest exchanges worldwide (2011). CASP license passported across entire EU from Luxembourg |
| Crypto.com | ✅ Authorized | Malta (MFSA) | Malta MFSA license, passported in 28 EEA countries. Also operates EU Visa card services |
| Gemini | ✅ Authorized | Malta (MFSA) | Fifth exchange to obtain CASP from MFSA Malta (mid-2025). Focus on EU institutional users |
| Bitget | ⏳ Pending | — | OAM ✅ registered in Italy; MiCA CASP license in progress — deadline June 30, 2026 |
| Bitpanda | ✅ Authorized | Malta | European exchange, strong focus on IT/DE/AT markets |
| Revolut Digital Assets | ✅ Authorized | Cyprus (CySEC) | Revolut's crypto entity with CASP license. Passporting in 30 EU/EEA countries. Integrated with banking services. |
| Gate.io EU | ✅ Authorized | Malta (MFSA) | Gate.io Technology Limited EU entity. 1500+ tokens, competitive fees (0.04% maker/0.08% taker), derivatives MiFID. |
| One Trading Exchange | ✅ Authorized | Netherlands (AFM) | Evolution of Bitpanda Pro (separate entity). Advanced trading, mobile app, EU focus. Fees 0.10% maker/0.20% taker. |
| KuCoin EU Exchange | ✅ Authorized | Austria (FMA) | Separate entity from global KuCoin. FMA Austria CASP license. EU onboarding available with local compliance. |
| Binance | ⏳ Pending | Greece (HCMC — application in progress) | Application submitted January 2026; under review with Ernst&Young and KPMG |
| MEXC | ❌ Not Authorized | — | No known CASP application in EU as of April 2026 |
Source: ESMA CASP Registry (weekly updates), exchange announcements, April 2026. Always verify current status on esma.europa.eu before making financial decisions.
What MiCA Guarantees Users
CASP authorization is not just a formal badge. MiCA imposes concrete obligations on authorized exchanges to protect users:
- Fund segregation: customer funds must be held separately from exchange funds in dedicated accounts. In case of exchange insolvency, customer funds are protected.
- Minimum capital requirements: exchanges must maintain capital reserves appropriate to their size (from €150,000 for smaller platforms up to significantly higher amounts for large operators).
- Complaint mechanism: users have the right to formally file complaints with the exchange and, if necessary, with the competent regulatory authority.
- Transparency: obligation to publish white papers, governance policies, security incident history, and risk information.
- DAC8: MiCA-authorized exchanges are required to automatically transmit transaction data of EU users to tax authorities starting in 2026.
What Happens After July 1, 2026
On July 1, 2026, the MiCA transitional period ends. Exchanges without CASP authorization by that date cannot operate legally in the EU. In practice, this means:
- Unauthorized exchanges may block deposits and withdrawals for users with EU residency
- Active marketing to EU users without authorization becomes illegal
- Users can technically access foreign platforms, but without MiCA protections
- National regulators can issue blocking orders against non-compliant exchanges
Who's at Risk: The List of Pending Exchanges
As of April 2026, these exchanges operate in the EU under transitional rules and must obtain MiCA licenses by June 30, 2026:
| Exchange | Current Status | OAM Italy | Risk for IT Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binance | MiCA application in Greece (HCMC, Jan 2026) | ✅ Registered | Yellow - application submitted, outcome uncertain |
| Bitget | MiCA application in progress | ✅ Registered | Yellow - OAM active, MiCA pending |
| MEXC | No known MiCA application | ❌ Not Registered | Red - no protection, possible EU block |
| Bitunix | No known MiCA application | ❌ Not Registered | Red - young exchange, no EU compliance |
💡 What to do now: If you use transitional exchanges, monitor official communications. For Binance and Bitget (OAM-registered), short-term risk is limited. For MEXC and Bitunix, consider moving funds to already-authorized MiCA platforms before July 1. Read our full analysis: Exchanges at Risk in Italy After June 30, 2026 → or check our 2026 exchange reviews for safer alternatives.
How to Verify Exchange Authorization Status
To independently verify if an exchange has CASP authorization in the EU:
- Visit the official ESMA (European Securities and Markets Authority) website — they publish a registry of authorized MiCA operators and issuers.
- Check the website of the national regulator of the country where the exchange claims to hold its license (e.g., CSSF Luxembourg for Coinbase, Central Bank of Ireland for Kraken, FMA Austria for KuCoin).
- Verify in the exchange's account page — MiCA-authorized platforms must explicitly state the name of the authorized legal entity and its reference country.
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