Binance says it has cleared the first major hurdle in its quest for a European crypto license, claiming Greece’s financial regulator completed its review and found the application compliant. The exchange now awaits a decision from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) as the continent’s sweeping MiCA regulation approaches its hard deadline.
The Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) has reportedly communicated to ESMA its intent to authorize Binance’s local subsidiary, Binary Greece, ahead of ESMA’s upcoming board meeting. Binance has promised to update its European users on the status of the application before June 30.
A tale of two narratives
Binance’s optimistic framing directly contradicts a Reuters report from June 16 suggesting the HCMC was likely to reject the application. Binance has pushed back hard on the Reuters report, insisting the Greek regulator not only completed its review but gave what amounts to a thumbs up. The exchange says HCMC informed ESMA of its compliance finding, which would be a necessary step before full authorization can be granted.
MiCA’s transitional period ends on July 1, 2026. After that date, any crypto-asset service provider operating in the EU without proper authorization will need to shut down its European operations.
