France regulator sets June 30 deadline for crypto licenses

France’s financial regulator has set a firm deadline of June 30 for cryptocurrency companies to obtain a license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework or cease operations in the country. The Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) warned that non-compliant firms must implement orderly plans to wind down their businesses and transfer customers.

AMF President Marie-Anne Barbat-Layani emphasized the urgency during a press briefing on Thursday, stating that it is becoming very urgent for companies to finalize their license applications. She said firms that fail to secure authorization by the deadline risk being placed on blacklists and facing enforcement actions, including potential prosecution, if they continue to seek customers in France without approval.

The MiCA regulation, which became legally applicable in 2024, requires crypto service providers to be licensed by an EU member state. A license obtained in one country can be “passported” to others, allowing firms to operate across the bloc’s 27 member states. The framework establishes rules for consumer protection, transparency, and operational standards for crypto businesses.