mica

Coinbase's EU policy head Roeland Van der Stappen stated that the EU's efforts to tighten regulation on DeFi may push crypto users towards platforms with less investor protection. He told Cointelegraph that regulated crypto platforms might limit or even eliminate access to DeFi services as a result. He mentioned that rules aimed at protecting investors will ultimately push activities towards the least protected areas.In September, the European Securities and Markets Authority, in response to the EU Commission's MiCA consultation, suggested establishing a new category of regulated crypto services for companies providing access to DeFi protocols for customers. The European Banking Authority urged the Commission to explore new regulations for crypto lending that include suitability testing as one of the options. Van der Stappen noted that extending such tests to other DeFi services could treat simple stablecoin exchanges and leveraged lending equally, despite the different risks involved; lending, liquidity provision, and on-chain exchanges would be the most affected activities.He warned that restricting access through regulated platforms could fragment DeFi liquidity into smaller pools, resulting in worse trading prices for EU users and fostering isolated "walled garden" services that direct users towards providers outside the EU with less protection. An Adan-Ipsos survey in 2026 showed that 49% of French crypto buyers preferred accessing DeFi through exchanges, while 14% preferred personal wallets. Chainalysis reported that the slight decline in crypto activity in Germany was mainly due to reduced activity on decentralized exchanges; overall crypto activity in the EU grew by 2.2% in the 12 months leading up to June 2026.

According to CoinDesk, Gemini has sold its UK and European operations to stablecoin payment company Kast for less than 10 million dollars. Gemini exited the UK and European markets in February this year, with the buyer primarily valuing the local MiCA and FCA licenses.

According to a report by Business Wire, the U.S. brokerage infrastructure provider DriveWealth announced that its European affiliate UAB DriveWealth Europe has been authorized by the Bank of Lithuania to become a crypto asset service provider under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). DriveWealth plans to gradually open related services to partners starting in 2027, with specific launch dates to be announced later.UAB DriveWealth Europe previously held a MiFID II license issued by the Bank of Lithuania. After the launch of crypto asset services, banks, fintech companies, digital wallets, and brokerages can access crypto asset services along with existing investment services such as U.S. stocks, ETFs, fixed income products, and options through the same interface.DriveWealth also announced a partnership with Ripple, planning to introduce RLUSD stablecoin settlement, cross-border payments, and digital asset custody in Europe first.

According to Cryptoast, due to the failure to obtain regulatory approval under the EU MiCA, Binance announced that it will close user accounts in France (Binance France) and cease operations in France on December 31, 2026. Currently, the deposit function is no longer available.Starting from November 29, accounts that still hold assets will be charged a monthly management fee of 0.025%, with a minimum fee of 10 USDC. The first deduction will occur within 3 days after November 29, and the second will occur after December 24. Fees will be deducted primarily from USDC, and if insufficient, from other crypto assets. Accounts that withdraw all assets before November 29 will be exempt from fees. Assets not withdrawn after December 31 may be considered inactive accounts and may be converted, transferred, or otherwise processed. Users can proactively close their accounts and withdraw funds at any time.

According to a report by Cryptoast, due to the failure to obtain regulatory approval from the EU MiCA, Binance announced that it will close user accounts in France (Binance France) on December 31, 2026, and cease operations in France. Currently, the deposit function is no longer available.Starting from November 29, accounts that still hold assets will be charged a monthly management fee of 0.025%, with a minimum fee of 10 USDC. The first deduction will occur within 3 days after November 29, and the second will be after December 24. Fees will be deducted first from USDC, and if insufficient, from other crypto assets. Accounts that withdraw all assets before November 29 will be exempt from fees.Assets not withdrawn after December 31 may be considered inactive accounts and may be converted, transferred, or otherwise processed. Users can proactively close their accounts and withdraw funds at any time.

According to CoinDesk, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) stated that it does not support the current version of the draft for the legalization and regulation of crypto assets, calling on lawmakers to continue revising it before the final vote.The NBU supports advancing regulation by referring to the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) and recommendations from the International Monetary Fund, but believes that draft No. 10225-d still does not address its key concerns, and the final text was only delivered on Tuesday night, leaving insufficient time for review and lacking transparency in the legislative process.The NBU warned that foreign tokens not adequately regulated in their place of issuance may enter Ukraine, some of which could function as electronic money, threatening monetary sovereignty and financial stability, and bypassing requirements applicable to domestic similar assets. The NBU hopes to obtain the authority to assess and limit their use when necessary.Regarding market access, the NBU stated that a preliminary compromise had been reached to select three crypto trading platform operators through competition, but the final draft leaves the number of access points for the first five years to the discretion of the securities regulatory authority, raising concerns about monopolies and corruption risks. According to the draft, the National Securities and Stock Market Commission of Ukraine will become the main regulator, with a 5% transitional tax rate applicable to existing crypto assets until the end of 2028, and transactions between crypto assets explicitly exempt from tax.

According to a report by The New York Times, Israel shared intelligence indicating that Iran is considering the use of chemical weapons.U.S. officials have mixed opinions on this report, with some comparing it to the intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction in 2002; some U.S. and Gulf officials suspect that Netanyahu is trying to pressure Trump into re-engaging in the war.

The French Ministry of Finance, the Financial Markets Authority (AMF), the French Central Bank, and the Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR) jointly suggested to the European Commission to allow third parties, such as crypto platforms, to offer rewards to stablecoin holders under specific conditions. The four institutions believe that such rewards should be regulated rather than outright prohibited.The four institutions proposed that platforms should disclose reward information to holders, must not promise guaranteed returns, and should not promote rewards as savings products; regulators should also monitor the impact of rewards on bank deposits. The French side still supports banning stablecoin issuers from paying interest but opposes extending the ban to staking and lending activities. The European Central Bank and the central banks of EU countries advocate maintaining the ban on interest for stablecoins and including indirect benefits such as rewards and fee waivers, as well as lending and staking activities within the scope of restrictions.The European Commission must submit a review report on the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) to the EU legislative bodies by June 30, 2027, and may propose amendments.

According to the regional service restriction notice released by MEXC on October 21, the exchange is gradually exiting the Dutch market, requiring local users to transfer their assets by October 31, and plans to complete the exit by November 16.MEXC confirmed that it has not yet obtained EU MiCA authorization. Previously, due to providing cryptocurrency asset services in the Netherlands without permission, the exchange was listed on the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) temporary list of non-compliant entities.Earlier, on October 20, MEXC announced the cessation of services to users in Russia and Belarus. Its user agreement also lists 13 countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, and mainland China, as prohibited service areas.

The Cardano Foundation calls on the European Union not to introduce new independent regulatory rules for DeFi and staking, advocating that existing financial laws should regulate based on the function and risk of activities rather than the technology used. The foundation outlined its 19-page opinion submitted to the European Commission on September 30 in a blog post released on Wednesday, urging a distinction between direct participation in decentralized networks and financial services provided by intermediaries, especially those involving the custody or control of user assets. The foundation stated that regulation should follow the substance of the activity, the functions performed, and the risks generated, rather than the technology relied upon to conduct the activity.The foundation pointed out that Cardano users can delegate native ADA tokens to help secure the network without relinquishing custody or locking up tokens, and this form of direct participation should be treated differently from staking services operated by intermediaries. The opinion also calls for a clearer distinction between the EU MiCA regulations and existing financial laws, warning that overlapping regulatory requirements and inconsistent interpretations among member states could create uncertainty for crypto businesses.This move comes as EU regulators consider expanding oversight of crypto services. In September, the European Securities and Markets Authority suggested adding additional safeguards for staking and lending activities and establishing a new category of regulated services for companies providing access to DeFi protocols. Additionally, the Cardano Foundation, along with five other blockchain organizations, sent a joint letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 20, urging it to formally recognize digital commodities as non-securities under the proposed crypto framework.

This integration allows traders to choose Euros or EURC for settlement in a shared liquidity pool, avoiding routing Euro-denominated trades to the USD pair, aiming to tighten the bid-ask spread and reduce slippage. Users can exchange Euros for EURC at a 1:1 ratio, thus accessing shared liquidity in a unified trading environment.The EURC stablecoin is MiCA compliant and fully backed by Euro reserves. OKX Europe operates under the license of the Malta Financial Services Authority, adhering to the MiCA framework. However, trading fees still depend on the user's tier and type of trade, and services are limited to eligible EEA jurisdictions.

The French Ministry of Finance, the Financial Markets Authority (AMF), the French Central Bank, and the Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR) jointly proposed amendments to the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), requiring cryptocurrency platforms to take responsibility for customer losses when they actively provide access to DeFi protocols without reviewing the protocols or ignoring known security risks.The French side proposed that platforms review relevant protocols before providing DeFi access and continuously monitor for vulnerabilities and suspicious activities, while also supporting the certification of protocols and smart contracts. These requirements will apply comprehensively to significant Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASP), with smaller platforms subject to proportionately adjusted obligations. France also proposed transferring the regulatory authority of significant CASPs from national regulators to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and lowering the current EU daily active user threshold of 15 million. Additionally, France suggested re-examining the category of Asset-Referenced Tokens (ART) and adjusting the Electronic Money Token (EMT) framework to cover multi-currency stablecoins.

According to Cointelegraph, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has added nine crypto asset service providers (CASP) to the registration list of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), including the Austrian entity MEGE zweite of BingX, the Italian subsidiary of YouHodler, and Openbank Deutschland under Santander, bringing the total number of registered CASPs to 375.

According to CoinDesk, the consortium Qivalis, supported by 37 major European banks, announced that the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) has granted it an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license, bringing it closer to issuing Euro-denominated electronic money tokens (EMT). The Amsterdam-based company still needs to meet the remaining requirements of the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), including publishing a white paper, in order to issue the token in the coming months.This license enables Qivalis to provide a blockchain-based method for transferring Euros for banks and payment institutions. Qivalis plans to distribute its tokens through banks, cryptocurrency exchanges, and payment service providers, rather than directly to consumers. Since its establishment in September 2025, the consortium has expanded to 37 European banks, including BBVA, BNP Paribas, ING, and DZ Bank, and has chosen Fireblocks to provide digital asset infrastructure.According to MiCA regulations, EMTs are classified as stablecoins, but not all stablecoins are EMTs. EMTs are pegged to a single fiat currency and must be issued by authorized credit institutions or electronic money institutions, with holders having legal claims to them and the right to redeem them at face value at any time, and EMTs cannot pay interest.Qivalis CEO Jan-Oliver Sell stated that the currency in Europe should be carried on-chain by European rules, and Europe should have Euro-denominated on-chain settlement assets issued under European law and subject to European regulatory standards.

Recently, Gate founder and CEO Dr. Han was interviewed by Fortune, sharing Gate's strategic plan to transition from a cryptocurrency trading platform to an integrated financial application.Dr. Han pointed out that traditional finance and the crypto world have long been disconnected, requiring users to switch between banks, brokerages, cryptocurrency exchanges, and payment tools. During TOKEN2049 Singapore, Gate launched Gate Money and proposed the vision of "One Gate, Everything Money," integrating fiat currency, digital assets, stocks, ETFs, gold, bank accounts, and payment settlements into a single account app. With the Gate Card, cryptocurrency, fiat currency, tokenized gold, or stocks can be directly used for daily payments, eliminating the need to hold large amounts of low-yield cash for expenses; users in eligible regions can also open a global bank account in their name online, which will support receiving payments in over 60 local currencies in the future.Dr. Han stated, "No one needs to sell stocks to buy a cup of coffee, nor do they need to hold large amounts of cash for emergencies."

The European Union is reviewing MiCA, with related consultations involving the requirement for developers of non-custodial Bitcoin wallets to obtain certification before providing software to the public. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) stated that open-source development, self-custody, automated smart contracts, and permissionless infrastructure should not automatically be considered regulated intermediaries.At the same time, ESMA proposed establishing new regulated services for crypto asset service providers that offer customers access to decentralized protocol services. This review has not changed the current rules, and the European Commission will assess the relevant opinions and submit a review report by June 30, 2027, in accordance with Article 140 of MiCA.

According to Decrypt, the French National Assembly's Finance Committee passed two cryptocurrency tax amendments this week: starting from January 1, 2027, exchanges of stablecoins regulated by MiCA will be considered taxable sales; and a departure tax will be imposed on tax households relocating overseas with a total value of cryptocurrency assets exceeding 800,000 euros.The committee rejected the budget revenue portion with a vote of 31 to 3, and the full National Assembly will review the original text from the government. The aforementioned amendments will not be automatically included; supporters must reintroduce them during the debate starting on October 13, with a formal vote scheduled for October 20.The related measures have not yet become law. The stablecoin amendment was proposed by left-wing GDR party member Nicolas Sansu and 16 co-signers, applicable to electronic money tokens as defined by MiCA. The amendment does not set a new tax rate but aims to include the related revenue under France's existing unified tax system of 31.4%.The committee also passed an amendment proposed by Daniel Labaronne, allowing investors to carry forward cryptocurrency asset losses for 10 years to offset future gains. The proposed departure tax applies to taxpayers who have been French tax residents for at least 6 of the past 10 years and whose cryptocurrency assets, including custodial assets, have a total value exceeding 800,000 euros.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued an opinion requiring EU crypto firms to stop providing services involving stablecoins that do not comply with the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework, and has given a three-month deadline to address existing risk exposures. ESMA stated on Thursday that national regulators should require relevant firms to promptly address any remaining exposure to non-compliant stablecoins, no later than January 8, 2027.The guidance applies to crypto services regulated under MiCA, including trading platforms, exchange services, order execution, custody, transfers, investment advice, and portfolio management. ESMA stated that crypto firms should implement technical, contractual, and organizational controls to prevent EU customers from obtaining or increasing exposure to unauthorized stablecoins.Regulators may allow limited services to assist customers in exiting existing positions, including liquidation, exchange, withdrawal, transfer, and custody, but such activities must be temporary and closely monitored. This update expands on the guidance issued by ESMA in January 2025, when it required restrictions on trading and exchange services involving non-compliant stablecoins.