Binance’s effort to obtain a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in Greece stalled after European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde intervened, forcing the exchange to turn its attention to France as the sole viable gateway to the European market.
Regulatory Setback in Greece
Binance’s Greek application had cleared most of the required compliance checks and was poised to advance toward approval. Political concerns over stablecoins and the exchange’s influence on the European crypto market emerged, prompting Lagarde’s office to raise objections that halted the process.
Shift Toward France
With the Greek route abandoned, Binance is now negotiating with the French financial regulator, Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). Although no formal filing has been submitted, industry sources view France as the only jurisdiction capable of delivering a MiCA authorization before the June 30 deadline.
Implications for EU Access
MiCA operates on a single‑license model, meaning that loss of a Greek permit would block Binance from serving EU investors unless the exchange secures approval elsewhere. The deadline imposed by the new EU crypto framework obliges firms to obtain a license by June 30 to continue operating across the bloc, heightening the urgency of the French talks.