Binance’s Greek Gambit: Will Crypto Finally Get EU Passport or Just More Regrettable Rom-Com?

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  • Binance is reportedly eyeing a license in Greece to “passport” its services across all 27 EU member states.
  • French regulators have warned that 90 crypto firms are currently unlicensed as the MiCA deadline approaches.
  • Meanwhile, traditional banks like KBC are now entering the market by seeking their own crypto authorisations.

Recently, Binance made a major move to secure its future in Greece by applying for a MiCA license.

It filed in Athens, hoping to get a foothold that lets it operate legally across the entire EU. This comes just as regulators in France are hissing at firms still swimming in a regulatory swamp.

Binance’s Push For A MiCA License in Greece

To some speculators, Binance’s decision to file in Greece might raise an eyebrow. Athens isn’t exactly the financial darling of Paris or Frankfurt, but it offers a fast‑track review that big players love.

🚨 Binance is working toward EU compliance by seeking a MiCA license through Greece.

– DustyBC Crypto (@TheDustyBC)

Greek officials have partnered with big accounting firms like Ernst & Young and KPMG to vet these applications. If the Hellenic Capital Market Commission gives the green light, Binance could market to over 450 million people across the EU with a single approval.

For a global giant, a single license that covers 27 countries feels a lot like a sword‑and‑shield combo in a corporate medieval fair.

France Issues Warnings to Unlicensed Crypto Firms

Meanwhile some companies are falling behind. The French financial regulator (AMF) pointed out that 90 registered crypto firms still lack a MiCA license.

The regulator made it clear: either bend the rules or be out of business in France.

This warning has put a lot of pressure on the industry as the 1 July deadline looms.

Binance, on the other hand, has been ahead of the curve-restricting copy trading for European users last year and limiting products tied to unregulated stablecoins.

Leading the Race for MiCA Authorisations

Germany and the Netherlands are leading the pack, with 43 and 22 licenses granted so far, respectively. France has 11, while Greece still has none (apart from Binance’s pending application).

KuCoin recently landed a license in Austria, allowing its European unit to serve 29 EEA countries.

These developments signal the end of the crypto wild west. To survive in Europe, companies now have to prove they can play by the same rules as banks.

Traditional Banks Join the Crypto Movement

Even traditional banks see the digital asset juggernaut as a business opportunity.

Belgian bank KBC plans to launch Bitcoin and Ethereum trading via its investment platform. The bank expects its own MiCA license in Belgium soon, becoming the first Belgian bank to offer retail crypto trading.

Belgium’s KBC Bank has launched regulated crypto trading for retail customers through its Bolero investment platform. Starting in February, customers can trade Bitcoin and Ether under the EU’s MiCA rules with crypto listed alongside other traditional assets.…

– CrispyBull (@CrispyBull)

The bank will use a “closed loop” model so clients can buy and sell within the platform but cannot move coins to external wallets.

This design is expected to ward off fraud and phishing, and the fact that more banks are entering the space shows crypto is finally becoming mainstream.

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2026-01-23 20:13