The European Union completed the transition period for the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. The latest update to the interim register showed that 244 licensed crypto service providers are now registered across the bloc.
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) updated its interim MiCA register. The latest version lists 244 licensed crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) and 40 issuers of electronic money tokens (EMTs). The section covering issuers of asset-referenced tokens (ARTs) remains empty.
Germany led the bloc with 57 MiCA licenses issued to crypto service providers. France and the Netherlands followed with 26 licenses each, while Malta issued 17, Cyprus 14, and Ireland 12. As of the latest update, no MiCA licenses had been issued in several EU member states, including Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, and Romania.
According to ESMA, the interim MiCA register contains information on licensed crypto market participants and crypto-assets that fall under the EU’s regulatory framework. The register is updated as national competent authorities submit new information and is publicly available.
The register also includes 944 published White Papers submitted by 560 issuers and offerors, which are legal entities issuing or offering crypto-assets within the European Union.
Under MiCA, a White Paper serves a role similar to that of a securities prospectus for crypto-assets. Any company offering a crypto-asset in the EU that doesn’t qualify as an ART, an EMT, or a financial instrument must publish a document that discloses key information about the project, including:
- issuer information;
- the crypto-asset’s purpose and operating model;
- holders’ rights;
- the blockchain network used;
- key technical, legal, and financial risks;
- issuance and circulation terms;
- custody and servicing arrangements.
ESMA emphasizes that White Papers published in the register aren’t subject to prior approval by supervisory authorities. Responsibility for their contents rests entirely with issuers or entities offering the crypto-assets.
The European Parliament adopted MiCA in 2023, but the framework was introduced in stages. Most of its provisions took effect on December 30, 2024. The transition period for crypto service providers ended on July 1, 2026.
