Binance MiCA Application 2026: CASP Filed in Greece, HCMC Review Ongoing

Why Greece?

When Binance CEO Richard Teng announced the company's MiCA license application in January 2026, the choice of Greece surprised many observers. Rather than opting for Luxembourg or Ireland — favored by Coinbase and other large firms — Binance selected Greece's Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) as its regulatory anchor.

Teng explained that Greece offered a pragmatic, engaged regulator and a faster review timeline compared to some Western European alternatives. If approved, a Greek CASP authorization would grant Binance passporting rights across all 27 EU member states.

The HCMC engaged Ernst & Young and KPMG to help assess the complex application — a signal that Greece is taking the review seriously and has the resources to handle it at scale. The audit is ongoing as of April 29, 2026.

The France ACPR Complication — Under Resolution

The application's path has been complicated by a parallel development: France's banking regulator, the ACPR (Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution), conducted an on-site inspection of Binance's compliance infrastructure and flagged shortcomings in AML (anti-money laundering) and CTF (counter-terrorist financing) controls.

Ernst & Young and KPMG are conducting a thorough compliance audit as part of the HCMC review. The outcome of the ACPR concerns and the overall authorization decision has not been officially announced as of April 29, 2026.

This is a significant moment in Binance's regulatory trajectory. The company paid a $4.3 billion settlement with US authorities in 2023. Since then, it significantly strengthened its compliance team and appointed new leadership. Whether those improvements satisfy EU regulatory standards will be determined by the HCMC decision.

What the MiCA Deadline Means

Under MiCA, all crypto-asset service providers operating in the EU must hold a valid CASP authorization by July 1, 2026. The transitional period — which allowed exchanges to continue operating under national registrations while applying for MiCA licenses — expires on that date.

ESMA has been explicit: exchanges that have not obtained authorization by the deadline must implement orderly wind-down plans to protect user funds. Operating without a license after July 1 carries fines of up to €15 million or 15% of annual turnover.

For Binance, failure to obtain approval would mean ceasing regulated crypto-asset services to EU users — a significant blow for the world's largest exchange by volume.

Who Already Has a MiCA License?

As of April 2026, several major exchanges have already secured their CASP authorizations:

• Coinbase — CSSF Luxembourg ✅ (passported EU-wide)
• Bybit — FMA Austria ✅ (Vienna EU HQ, 29 EEA countries)
• Kraken — Fully EU-licensed ✅
• Bitvavo — AFM Netherlands ✅
• Bitpanda — BaFin Germany / FMA Austria ✅
• OKX — Malta MiCA CASP (December 2024) ✅

Still pending (as of April 2026): Binance — HCMC Greece ⏳ (application filed January 2026, review ongoing). Also pending: Bitget (Vienna application, 2026) and Tether (stablecoin issuer).

What Does This Mean for EU Users?

Binance's CASP application is under review — the outcome has not been officially announced. EU users should monitor the HCMC decision ahead of the July 1, 2026 deadline.

A few things worth keeping in mind:

• Decision pending — if the Greek CASP authorization is granted, it passports across all 27 EU member states; no action required from users
• Monitor ESMA registry — the official confirmation will appear in ESMA's CASP register when granted
• Self-custody still wise — regardless of exchange status, consider moving long-term BTC holdings to a hardware wallet for maximum security

Timeline

Bottom Line

Binance filed its MiCA CASP application with Greece's HCMC in January 2026 — a major strategic move backed by EY and KPMG auditors. As of April 29, 2026, the review is ongoing and the license has not yet been officially confirmed.

For EU users, the outcome is critical: if approved before July 1, Binance can continue operating EU-wide via passporting from Greece. The HCMC decision is expected in the coming weeks. Monitor ESMA's official CASP registry for the confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Binance have a MiCA license?
Not yet confirmed. Binance filed its CASP application with Greece's HCMC in January 2026. The review is ongoing — EY and KPMG are conducting audits. The license has not been officially confirmed as of April 29, 2026.

Can EU users use Binance after July 1, 2026?
Uncertain until the HCMC review concludes. If the CASP license is confirmed before July 1, 2026, EU users can continue without disruption. The outcome has not been officially announced as of April 29, 2026. Monitor ESMA's CASP registry for updates.

Why did Binance choose Greece?
CEO Richard Teng cited Greece's pragmatic regulatory approach and HCMC's willingness to engage constructively with the application. A Greek CASP license passports across all 27 EU member states — and the HCMC delivered a decision ahead of the July 1 deadline.

What does Binance's MiCA application status mean for EU users?
Binance's CASP application is under review — not yet confirmed. EU users should monitor the HCMC outcome ahead of the July 1, 2026 MiCA deadline. Exchanges with confirmed CASP licenses already include Coinbase (CSSF Luxembourg), Kraken, and Bitvavo. Binance is not yet in ESMA's official CASP registry as of April 29, 2026.