TechFlow reported on June 15, citing CryptoSlate, that the transition grace period for the European Union’s crypto regulatory framework MiCA will formally end on July 1, 2026. As that deadline approaches, crypto platforms operating in the EU that have not obtained formal licenses will face a clear compliance cutoff.
Licensed Firms Remain Far Below the Number of Registered Crypto Businesses
As of May 2026, only 194 crypto companies across the European Union had received formal licenses. By comparison, more than 3,000 crypto businesses were registered in 2024. Based on the figures cited in the report, about 75% of legacy platforms are expected to lose their operating eligibility after the grace period ends.
Once the MiCA transition grace period expires, platforms without licenses will not be able to continue operating in the EU market under their previous status. These platforms must, before the deadline, wind down operations in an orderly manner, transfer users to licensed platforms, or fully withdraw from the European market. The platform-level handling of these steps must be completed before July 1, 2026.
France’s AMF Warns of Penalties for Unlicensed Operations
Among regulators mentioned in the report, France’s financial regulator AMF has taken the strongest stance. AMF has clearly warned that unlicensed operations may carry penalties of up to two years in prison and a fine of 30,000 euros. The warning applies to crypto platforms that fail to obtain a MiCA license within the required period but continue operating.
For ordinary users, whether their chosen platform secures a MiCA license will directly affect account access and use. If a platform used by customers fails to obtain a MiCA license, users may face situations including an inability to make deposits or being required to withdraw funds. The dates and figures in the report place July 1, 2026 as a key compliance deadline for crypto platforms in the European Union.