EU MiCA registry hits 309 licensed CASPs

TLDR

The EUs MiCA crypto-asset service provider registry now lists 309 licensed firms, marking a clear shift toward a regulated, passported crypto market in Europe.

1. ESMA has expanded the MiCA CASP registry to 309 licensed entities, including new banks and crypto platforms across multiple member states.
2. MiCA authorisation is rapidly becoming the default for EU crypto trading, concentrating activity in compliant venues and raising the bar for smaller, unlicensed firms.
3. The key watchpoint is how fast new licences are added, which countries lead, and whether higher compliance costs trigger further consolidation or closures among smaller providers.

Deep Dive

1. What Changed In The Registry

ESMA has updated its MiCA crypto-asset service provider (CASP) registry to 309 licensed entities as of 27 July 2026, the third update since the MiCA transition period ended on 1 July 2026.

The latest batch added 15 providers, including BNY SA/NV, the Belgian arm of BNY Mellon, three German cooperative banks, and crypto platforms such as BitPay, Coinify, Bleap, Januar, SafeLynx Technologies, Nodu Digital, Altcoins BG, and Digital Assist.

Germany and Denmark led this expansion with three new CASPs each, followed by Bulgaria and Latvia with two each, and Belgium, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, and the Netherlands with one apiece, reflecting broad geographic uptake across the EU.

2. Why MiCA CASP Growth Matters

MiCA is now fully in force, meaning EU and EEA crypto-asset service providers must hold authorisation to serve users, while those without licences must wind down EU activities. By late July, MiCA authorised providers accounted for roughly 83 percent of European trading volume, with around 338 CASPs authorised across 26 EEA states.

The 309 figure in the ESMA registry is the central passport list, showing which entities can offer services across member states, rather than just locally. Traditional banks joining alongside crypto natives signal that regulated, bank-integrated crypto services are becoming a core part of Europes market structure.

At the same time, executives like Gate Europes Giovanni Cunti warn that smaller firms may struggle with MiCAs compliance costs, suggesting that regulatory pressure could push weaker venues to exit or sell rather than scale.

3. What To Watch Next

First, watch the pace and composition of new CASPs entering the registry: more banks, payment firms, and custodians would reinforce the institutionalisation of EU crypto services.

Second, monitor country-level concentrations in Germany, France, and the Netherlands versus smaller states, as this will shape where liquidity, market-making, and innovation cluster under MiCA.

Third, track how non-compliant or marginal platforms respond. Recent closures and stress among smaller exchanges linked to trading slumps and regulatory burdens suggest MiCA could accelerate consolidation toward a handful of large, well regulated venues.

Conclusion

The MiCA registry hitting 309 licensed CASPs confirms that Europe is moving decisively toward a passported, rulebound crypto market where authorisation is a prerequisite rather than an option. For crypto users, this should gradually translate into clearer protections and more bank-grade services, while for providers it raises a strategic choice between investing in full MiCA compliance, partnering with licensed entities, or exiting the EU market altogether.