When does the MiCA transitional period end?

For most EU member states, the transitional period ends on 1 July 2026. After that date, entities providing crypto-asset services to EU clients generally need a MiCA CASP authorisation from a national competent authority (NCA), unless a member state has a later local deadline.

Can a VASP keep operating without a MiCA licence after July 2026?

No — not across the EU under transitional arrangements. ESMA has stated that after the transitional period, providing crypto-asset services to EU clients without MiCA authorisation is a breach of EU law. Firms must either obtain a licence, passport an existing one, or cease EU services.

How long does MiCA CASP authorisation take?

Under MiCA Article 63, NCAs have up to 25 working days to assess application completeness and up to 40 working days (extendable to 60) to decide once complete. In practice, many firms allow 4–6 months from a complete filing to authorisation.

MiCA guides

MiCA Deadline July 2026: What CASPs and Users Need to Know

The EU MiCA transitional period for legacy crypto-asset service providers ends 1 July 2026 in most member states. Learn who must be authorised, what happens after the deadline, and how to verify CASP status.

Published 2026-05-23 · CASP Tracker

Why July 2026 matters

The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) has applied to crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) since 30 December 2024. Entities that were already providing services under national law before that date could continue under transitional "grandfathering" rules — but that window is closing.

From 1 July 2026 in most member states, only MiCA-authorised CASPs (or firms passporting an EU authorisation) should offer regulated crypto-asset services to clients in the European Economic Area. The deadline is a compliance cliff, not a soft launch.

Who is affected

The deadline affects crypto exchanges, custodians, brokers, portfolio managers, and any firm providing one or more of the eight MiCA crypto-asset services. It also affects users and institutions who rely on those firms for EU-regulated activity.

Crypto-asset service providers operating on legacy national VASP or DASP registrations
Firms mid-application that have not yet received a written authorisation
EU clients using platforms that have not published a MiCA CASP authorisation
Compliance and legal teams conducting counterparty due diligence

What to do before the deadline

If you are a CASP: confirm your home NCA application status, ensure your programme of operations covers every service you offer, and plan passporting notifications if you market into other member states.

If you are a user or institution: verify that your counterparty appears on the ESMA interim MiCA register or a trusted aggregator such as the CASP Tracker register. Check the authorised entity name, home member state, permitted services, and passported jurisdictions — not just the consumer brand.

Frequently asked questions

When does the MiCA transitional period end?: For most EU member states, the transitional period ends on 1 July 2026. After that date, entities providing crypto-asset services to EU clients generally need a MiCA CASP authorisation from a national competent authority (NCA), unless a member state has a later local deadline.
Can a VASP keep operating without a MiCA licence after July 2026?: No — not across the EU under transitional arrangements. ESMA has stated that after the transitional period, providing crypto-asset services to EU clients without MiCA authorisation is a breach of EU law. Firms must either obtain a licence, passport an existing one, or cease EU services.
How long does MiCA CASP authorisation take?: Under MiCA Article 63, NCAs have up to 25 working days to assess application completeness and up to 40 working days (extendable to 60) to decide once complete. In practice, many firms allow 4–6 months from a complete filing to authorisation.