Germany Extends MiCA Lead With Six Newly Licensed Banks

The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, known as MiCA, created a common authorization and supervision regime for crypto-asset service providers across the bloc. A license can be passported into other EU markets, replacing a patchwork of national rules with standards covering governance, disclosures and client protection. The addition of a unit of BNY, one of the world’s largest custody banks, underscores how traditional financial institutions are moving regulated digital-asset services into their core European operations.

The European Securities and Markets Authority updated its interim MiCA register on July 24, adding 15 crypto-asset service providers and lifting the total to 309. The additions included Belgium-based BNY SA/NV, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon, authorized for crypto-asset custody and transfer services following notification by the National Bank of Belgium. It was ESMA’s third register update since the EU’s longest grandfathering period expired on July 1, when providers without MiCA authorization were required to stop serving EU clients.

The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, or MiCA, became fully applicable on December 30, 2024. Its single-authorization and passporting regime replaced fragmented national rules, lowering compliance barriers for banks offering trading, custody and payment services. BBVA, DZ Bank, Société Générale and KBC have consequently integrated crypto into their existing financial platforms, moving digital assets beyond standalone exchanges and into mainstream banking channels.

KBC announced on January 15, 2026, that it would allow Belgian retail customers to trade Bitcoin and Ether through Bolero beginning in the week of February 16, becoming the country’s first bank to offer the service under MiCA. About 60% of the platform’s customers are under 40, while roughly 45% of Belgians in their 30s have already invested in crypto. Reports estimate that EU ownership will rise from 9% in 2024 to 25% by 2030, when annual stablecoin payment volume could exceed $50 trillion.

The European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, or MiCA, became law in 2023 and has applied in phases since 2024, establishing harmonized rules for token issuance, stablecoins and crypto-asset service providers. As the market becomes more institutionalized and tokenized, whether the current regime can cover emerging business models has become a key issue for the next phase of regulation.

Peter Kerstens, a European Commission adviser and architect of the MiCA framework, told Paris Blockchain Week 2026 that the EU was highly likely to pursue “MiCA 2.” He argued that tokenization should take priority over rushing to add DeFi rules. The EU is expected to complete a review by 2027 based on market maturity and industry feedback, while considering potential legislative amendments.