MiCA: CNB grants crypto licences to 11 entities

The transitional period under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) ends on 1 July. After this date, only legal entities authorised by the competent supervisory authority of an EU Member State will be allowed to provide crypto-asset services throughout the European Union. The Czech National Bank (CNB) has granted authorisation to 11 entities.

The requirement to obtain authorisation to provide crypto-asset services applies, for example, to providers of crypto-asset custody services, trading platforms and entities offering investment advice or portfolio management in relation to crypto-assets, as well as centralised exchanges that enable users to exchange crypto-assets.

“MiCA has brought clear rules to the crypto-asset market and a higher standard of client protection. Authorised providers must meet strict requirements for the management and safeguarding of client assets and are subject to supervision by the relevant authorities. This is an important step towards strengthening confidence in the crypto-asset market and also an impetus for its further development,” said Jan Procházka, CNB Bank Board member.

“Investors should continue to bear in mind that neither authorisation nor supervision eliminates the risks associated with investing in crypto-assets. Caution, access to sufficient information and a thorough understanding of the investment remain the best protection for every investor,” Jan Procházka added.

By 1 July 2026, the CNB had assessed a total of 251 applications for authorisation to provide crypto-asset services, including notifications from existing financial market entities of their intention to provide crypto-asset services. Of these, 204 applications were submitted during the transitional period, which allowed applicants to continue providing services to clients until their authorisation became effective, but no later than 1 July 2026.

The CNB received the highest number of applications for authorisation under the MiCA Regulation in the European Union. A significant share of the applications was wholly insufficient in terms of content and lacked essential information and documentation required for further assessment. A large number of applications were also submitted by entities without a verifiable track record, with registered offices at virtual addresses or with the intention of carrying out their activities abroad. Some entities submitted applications repeatedly. Only a very small proportion of applicants had a realistic and transparent business model, ownership structure and method of financing.

In addition to entities authorised by the CNB, crypto-asset services may also be provided in the Czech Republic by entities authorised in another EU Member State that make use of the single European market regime. Entities registered in the Czech Republic can also provide services in other European countries within the EU single market.

“In addition to strengthening the credibility of the market, the European dimension is a significant added value of the MiCA Regulation. Authorised entities can offer their services across the European Union after simply notifying their intention to do so. This is a major opportunity for the Czech fintech sector,” said Jan Procházka, CNB Bank Board member.

Entities that had not obtained authorisation by 1 July 2026 may no longer offer crypto-asset services within the European Union. They are required to cease onboarding new clients and to inform existing clients about the next steps in winding down their activities. Providing services without the required authorisation after the end of the transitional period constitutes a breach of the MiCA Regulation and may be subject to supervisory and enforcement measures.

This situation also applies to one of the largest global crypto exchanges, Binance, which applied for authorisation through the Greek regulator but did not obtain the necessary authorisation before the end of the transitional period. As of 1 July, it must therefore cease providing crypto-asset services across the entire European Union, including the Czech Republic.

Clients of entities offering crypto-asset services are advised to verify the provider’s status in the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) register at the link below and, where appropriate, transfer their assets to an entity holding the relevant authorisation or to their own crypto-asset wallet.

Once the decisions have become final, the list of entities authorised by the CNB will be available in the Lists of regulated institutions and registered financial market entities on the CNB’s website. The complete list of providers authorised to operate within the EU is available in the ESMA register: Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) (external link).

Petra Vlčková
CNB Communications Division