What to know:
Crypto firms in France must obtain MiCA CASP authorization by July 1, 2026 or stop operations.
Companies not planning to comply should begin an orderly shutdown by March 30, 2026.
Unauthorized providers may face fines, blacklisting, and website blocking by regulators.
France’s financial regulator has issued a fresh reminder to crypto companies: the grace period to operate without a full European crypto license will end on 1 July 2026. After that date, any crypto service provider working in France must have proper approval under the European MiCA rules or stop operating.
The regulator is asking firms to act early, submit their applications soon, and prepare for delays if their documents are incomplete. Companies that do not plan to comply are being told to begin closing down operations in an orderly way by 30 March 2026.
Transition Period Ending Soon
For the past few years, crypto service providers in France were allowed to continue working under a temporary transition period. This applied to companies that were already offering crypto services before the European MiCA regulation came into effect.
This transition window was designed to give firms time to adjust to the new Europe-wide rules. But now the deadline is fixed. From July 1st, only companies with a MiCA CASP authorization will be allowed to legally offer crypto services in France. All Digital Asset Service Providers that want to keep serving customers in France must get approved as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) under MiCA.
To continue operating, firms must either get direct authorization from the French regulator or use a special notification route if they are already a qualified financial company and meet the conditions. The regulator has clearly said that firms that have not yet applied should do so as soon as possible. Waiting until the last minute could create problems.
Applications May Take Time
The European markets authority has already warned that approval reviews can take up to four months and that is only after a complete application file is submitted. In practice, many first-time submissions are missing details or need corrections. When that happens, regulators ask for changes and extra documents. This can stretch the timeline even further.
Because of this, French authorities are strongly advising crypto firms to focus on the quality and completeness of their application. A rushed or incomplete file could lead to delays and risk missing the deadline.
Penalties for Non-Compliant Providers
The warning also included clear consequences for companies that ignore the new rules.
Crypto firms operating without authorization may face:
- Financial penalties
- Criminal charges
- Up to two years in prison
- Fines of up to €30,000
- Public blacklisting
- Website blocking orders
Regulators said they will actively monitor the market and take action where needed. Public warnings may also be issued to alert users about unauthorized platforms.
Orderly Shutdown
Not every crypto provider will choose to apply for the new license. For those firms, the regulator is asking for a structured and careful shutdown process. Companies that do not plan to comply should begin an orderly wind-down by 30 March 2026 at the latest. They should only carry out essential activities needed to close operations safely.
Most importantly, customer interests must come first. Firms must make sure users can transfer their crypto to an approved provider or sell and withdraw their holdings. Customers should receive enough notice and clear instructions so they are not harmed during the shutdown.
Final Thoughts
The end of the transition period marks a major shift for the crypto industry in France. The message from regulators is simple: get licensed under MiCA or leave the market.
With the deadline now clearly set, crypto firms have limited time to prepare. Those that move early and submit strong applications will likely be in the best position to continue operating across France and the wider European Union.
Also Read: China Limits U.S. Treasury Bank Purchases Amid Crypto Regulation Shifts
