Binance has officially applied for a pan-European crypto license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, marking a major regulatory step as the bloc’s new digital asset regime moves toward full implementation.

The application was submitted in Greece, positioning the country as Binance’s potential regulatory gateway into the European Union’s single crypto market.

Key takeaways

• Binance has formally applied for a MiCA license in Greece

• Approval would allow passporting crypto services across the EU

• Greece has not yet issued any MiCA CASP licenses

• Competition among EU jurisdictions to attract crypto firms is intensifying

If approved, the license would allow Binance to operate across all EU member states under a single regulatory authorization, significantly expanding its compliant footprint in Europe at a time when exchanges are racing to secure MiCA approval.

⚡️BINANCE OFFICIALLY APPLIED FOR MICA

Binance has applied for a pan-European MiCA license in Greece. ESMA data shows Greece has yet to issue any MiCA CASP licenses. pic.twitter.com/T3y4ql1rWN

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) January 23, 2026

Greece’s role in the MiCA race

According to data from European Securities and Markets Authority, Greece has not yet issued any MiCA Crypto-Asset Service Provider licenses. This places Binance’s application at the front of the regulatory queue, as national authorities across the EU begin processing submissions under the new framework.

By choosing Greece, Binance may be betting on a regulator that is still building out its MiCA approval pipeline, potentially offering a cleaner slate compared to more crowded jurisdictions such as France or Germany. Under MiCA, once a CASP license is granted in one member state, firms can “passport” their services across the entire EU without seeking separate approvals in each country.

What MiCA approval would mean for Binance

MiCA is designed to bring uniform rules to crypto markets across the EU, covering exchanges, custody providers, stablecoin issuers, and other crypto services. For Binance, securing a MiCA license would provide long-term regulatory certainty in Europe, helping the exchange move past years of fragmented national oversight and compliance challenges.

The move also reflects a broader industry trend, as major crypto firms prioritize regulated access to large markets rather than operating in legal gray areas. With MiCA setting capital, governance, and consumer-protection standards, exchanges that gain approval early could gain a competitive advantage as institutional participation increases.

While it remains unclear how long Greece’s review process will take, Binance’s application signals that the race for MiCA compliance has entered a decisive phase — one that could reshape the balance of power among crypto exchanges in Europe.