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Crypto companies without EU licences face prosecution, French regulator warns

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 28, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: May 28, 2026

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Crypto Companies Face Prosecution in France Without EU Licence by June 30

France Enforces EU Crypto Regulations and Licensing Deadline

PARIS, May 28 (Reuters) - France’s top markets regulator warned crypto companies they could be blacklisted and sued if they do not get an EU licence to operate by end of June, as the bloc fully rolls out tighter regulation of crypto.

MiCA Regulation and Licensing Requirements

Under the European Union's crypto rules, MiCA, crypto companies have until June 30 to get a licence to continue operating in the bloc. European regulators have already warned that companies without licences need to have "orderly wind-down plans" in place.

Urgency for Licence Applications

"It’s becoming very very urgent to finalise the licences applications," Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani, president of the French markets regulator, AMF, said at a press event on Thursday.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

Crypto companies which have not secured licences by the EU's deadline will be put on blacklists and will face enforcement action, including prosecution, if they continue to actively seek EU customers without authorisation, Barbat-Layani said.

(Reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft, editing by John O'Donnell)

Key Takeaways

  • MiCA transitional regime ends July 1, 2026—firms must have authorization or cease crypto‑asset services EU‑wide (deepidv.com)
  • France’s AMF may publish blacklists of unauthorised providers, block site access, and pursue criminal penalties including up to two years imprisonment and €30,000 fines (amf-france.org)
  • ESMA expects unauthorized firms to have credible, executable wind‑down plans and authorised firms to migrate clients—no further grace period after deadline (esma.europa.eu)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EU's MiCA regulation for crypto companies?
MiCA is the European Union's regulatory framework requiring crypto companies to obtain a licence to operate in the EU.
What is the deadline for crypto firms to secure an EU licence?
Crypto companies must obtain an EU licence by June 30 to continue operating legally within the bloc.
What actions will be taken against unlicensed crypto companies in the EU?
Unlicensed crypto companies may be blacklisted and face enforcement actions, including prosecution, if they seek EU customers after the deadline.
Who issued the warning to crypto companies regarding EU licences?
Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani, president of the French markets regulator (AMF), issued the warning.
What must crypto companies without an EU licence do before the deadline?
They must have 'orderly wind-down plans' in place and finalise their licence applications to avoid enforcement actions.

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