MiCA Deadline Looms: EU Crypto Firms Face Compliance Crunch

The MiCA regulation has brought about a significant change in the European Union's regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency service providers.

As of July 1, 2026, all crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) must obtain licenses to continue operating within the EU. While larger firms have already secured licenses, many smaller players are facing difficulties in meeting the requirements due to high compliance costs and organizational demands.

In Poland, for example, only one out of approximately 2,000 virtual asset service providers has successfully obtained a MiCA license. The industry is bracing itself for consolidation as larger exchanges and custodians are better equipped to weather the regulatory demands.