What is the June 30 MiCA licensing deadline in France?

France's Financial Markets Authority (AMF) has warned crypto firms that they must obtain a licence under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework by June 30. Companies that fail to comply will be expected to stop operating and implement customer wind-down plans.

Why is the AMF requiring crypto firms to obtain MiCA licences?

MiCA was introduced to create a unified regulatory framework for crypto businesses across the European Union. The rules are designed to improve consumer protection, increase transparency and establish consistent standards for crypto service providers.

What happens if a crypto company misses the MiCA deadline?

According to the AMF, firms that do not secure authorisation by June 30 must prepare an orderly exit from the market. This includes protecting customers, transferring assets where necessary and shutting down operations in a controlled manner.

What is MiCA passporting and why does it matter?

MiCA allows a crypto company licensed in one EU member state to offer services throughout the European Union without obtaining separate licences in each country. This passporting system reduces regulatory complexity and lowers expansion costs for compliant firms.

How does MiCA affect crypto exchanges and service providers?

Crypto exchanges, custodians and other service providers must meet regulatory requirements covering governance, compliance, consumer protection and operational standards. Firms that secure approval gain access to the entire EU market through passporting rights.

Why are EU regulators debating MiCA oversight?

Some regulators support giving more authority to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to create consistent supervision across the bloc. Others argue that national regulators should retain primary oversight because they better understand their local markets.

What are the main bull and bear cases for crypto businesses under MiCA?

The bullish view is that MiCA provides regulatory clarity that could attract institutional investors and encourage industry growth. The bearish view is that stricter compliance requirements may increase costs and create barriers for smaller crypto firms.

How could greater ESMA control affect the crypto industry?

Supporters believe centralised supervision could reduce regulatory fragmentation and create a more uniform market. Critics worry it could weaken national authority and potentially alter the current passporting framework that allows firms to operate across the EU.

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France AMF sets MiCA licensing deadline

Written by Liezl GambePublished May 29, 2026, 12:05 AM

France’s financial markets regulator has warned crypto companies operating in the country that they must obtain a licence under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework by June 30 or cease operations.

The French Financial Markets Authority said firms that fail to secure authorisation before the deadline will be required to implement orderly wind-down plans to transfer customers and close their businesses in a controlled manner.

“Crypto companies that fail to obtain a licence by the deadline must have orderly wind-down plans,”

Said AMF President Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani during a press briefing.

Under the EU’s MiCA framework, crypto asset service providers can obtain a licence in one member state and use passporting rights to offer services across all 27 EU countries without seeking separate approvals.

The deadline arrives as tensions grow among European regulators over whether oversight of the crypto sector should remain primarily with national authorities or become more centralised under the Paris-based European Securities and Markets Authority.

Critics argue that shifting more power to ESMA could weaken the current passporting model by reducing the regulatory autonomy of individual member states, while supporters contend greater centralisation could improve consistency across the bloc.

The debate may intensify further after European Commission adviser Peter Kerstens suggested in April that MiCA could eventually be revised to address a more mature crypto industry, with regulators expected to consult the public before introducing any significant changes to the framework.