A small EU nation is set to enforce one of Europe’s strictest crypto crackdowns, warning that hundreds of unlicensed digital asset firms could face fines, website blocks, and even prison time starting next week.

The central bank has made it clear that any platform continuing to onboard users or handle crypto without proper MiCA authorization after December 31 will be considered illegal.

Lithuania Draws a Hard Line on Crypto Starting January 1

The Bank of Lithuania, which oversees the country’s crypto sector, has urged all service providers to secure licenses immediately. While over 370 firms are officially registered in the nation, only around 120 are actively operating and reporting revenues.

Alarmingly, fewer than 10%, or roughly 30 companies, have applied for MiCA licenses so far. This leaves dozens of active firms and hundreds of registered entities exposed to enforcement.

A transitional period, during which crypto exchanges, wallet operators, and other service providers can obtain authorization, expires at the end of 2025.

After the deadline, Lietuvos Bankas has stated it will take stringent action against non-compliant firms, including fines, blocking websites, and pursuing criminal liability under national law. Violations could carry prison terms of up to four years.

Dalia Juškevičienė, head of the Central Bank’s Investment Services and Undertakings Supervision Division, emphasized the importance of orderly shutdowns for firms that do not plan to continue operations.

“Participants of the crypto-asset services market that do not plan to continue their operations should not delay and launch active communication campaigns to ensure that all of their clients are properly and timely informed of the winding down,” local media reported, citing Dalia.

Customers must be provided with clear guidance on transferring fiat and digital assets to other custodians or self-hosted wallets before services are discontinued.

The crackdown positions the Baltic state as a strict gateway for MiCA-compliant operations rather than a permissive crypto hub.

Authorities have warned that enforcement will go beyond targeting active platforms. Instead, it will target registered entities that maintain websites, accounts, or custody services.

This approach ensures the regulator can protect investors and maintain transparency and integrity in the market.

Europe Tightens the Reins as MiCA Enforcement Moves from Theory to Action

The looming enforcement follows a broader trend of regulatory tightening across Europe. MiCA rules, which establish licensing requirements and investor safeguards, are now moving from theory to practice.

The region is signaling that unlicensed operations will no longer be tolerated, creating a high-stakes environment for crypto firms in jurisdictions seeking compliance.

Besides Lithuania, another European country has similar aspirations. Bordering Lithuania to the north, Latvia is also working toward turning the country into another Baltic gateway to MiCA.

Mārtiņš Kazāks, governor of Latvijas Banka, the Latvian central bank, highlighted that the country has talent, entrepreneurs, and a sound financial infrastructure. Based on this, it looks to strengthen its economy by leveraging the crypto industry.

“Latvia can become a significant European fintech hub not merely because of ambition, but because the foundations are already in place,” said Kazāks.

Against these backdrops, global crypto platforms are moving quickly to achieve MiCA compliance before enforcement deadlines.

KuCoin, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume, has recently become MiCAR compliant following approval by the Austrian Financial Market Authority.

The exchange highlighted the value of regulated crypto access and its commitment to operating within the new legal framework in its announcement.

Coinbase also followed suit four months ago, raising the bar for EU compliance with MiCA-compliant whitepapers.

Outside Europe, Lithuania’s move mirrors developments in other regions, such as the United Arab Emirates, where sweeping Central Bank reforms have criminalized unlicensed crypto services, including self-custody wallets and market-data tools.

These parallel measures highlight a rising global emphasis on regulation, compliance, and investor protection.

With the December 31 deadline looming, crypto firms in this Baltic EU state have just days to secure licenses or begin orderly wind-downs.

As regulators prepare to act, the coming week could significantly reshape the European crypto arena, eliminating non-compliant operators and marking the beginning of a new era of strict MiCA enforcement.