MiCA’s grace period expires on July 1, and approximately 75% of crypto platforms in the EU may face shutdown

According to CryptoSlate, the transitional grace period for the EU’s crypto regulatory framework, MiCA, will officially end on July 1, 2026. As of May 2026, only 194 crypto firms across the EU have obtained formal licenses—while over 3,000 crypto enterprises registered in 2024. Approximately 75% of legacy platforms are expected to lose their operating eligibility once the grace period concludes. Unlicensed platforms must orderly shut down, migrate users to licensed platforms, or fully exit the European market before the deadline. France’s financial regulator, the AMF, has taken the firmest stance, explicitly warning that unlicensed operations may incur penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment and a €30,000 fine. For ordinary users, if their platform fails to obtain a MiCA license, they may face restrictions such as being unable to deposit funds or being required to withdraw existing funds.