Binance Withdraws Greece MiCA Bid, Seeks EU License Elsewhere Before 1-Week Deadline
Updated
Updated · ChainCatcher · Jun 25
Binance Withdraws Greece MiCA Bid, Seeks EU License Elsewhere Before 1-Week Deadline
3 articles · Updated · ChainCatcher · Jun 25
Summary
Binance pulled its MiCA license application in Greece and said it will seek authorization in another EU member state, calling the move a response to approval delays and timing risks.
One week remains before Binance's current European operating license expires, raising the prospect of a gradual EU shutdown if it fails to secure a replacement permit in time.
Gillian Lynch, Binance's Europe and UK head, said the exchange will stay in Europe and expects to win approval through a different route, with specific countries to be disclosed later.
Two insiders said Binance also sounded out regulators in Ireland and Latvia but met resistance tied to past money-laundering penalties, its complex global structure and a perceived risk-prone culture.
Binance says it has strengthened controls with about 1,500 compliance staff, underscoring how MiCA's unified EU regime is becoming a key test for large crypto platforms.