Exchanges without a verified MiCA entry
The list covers pending applications, platforms whose transitional period has ended, EEA restrictions, unverified status and protocol-scope cases that depend on the facts. Since 1 July 2026, an in-scope provider generally needs Article 63 authorisation or an eligible Article 60 notification route.
Which exchange statuses need extra verification?
Two major exchanges we track have different post-deadline risks. Binance withdrew its EU licence application on 24 June 2026 and announced restrictions for affected users in several EU markets. Binance said that it will seek authorisation in another member state, which it has not named. MEXC has no MiCA CASP authorisation, and the Dutch AFM warned that it was offering services without the required licence. Neither exchange appears in the ESMA register.
Aave is a decentralised lending and borrowing protocol. Non-intermediated services are outside MiCA’s scope.
BloFin is a Cayman-registered exchange that focuses on derivatives. Its terms are governed by Hong Kong law, name no EU entity and restrict no EEA state. BloFin is not on the ESMA CASP register.
CoinEx is a global exchange with roots in Hong Kong. It has no MiCA CASP authorisation on the ESMA register.
Deribit is a Dubai VARA-licensed derivatives exchange that Coinbase now owns. The Deribit brand is not on the ESMA register.
LBK Technology Ltd in the British Virgin Islands operates LBank. Its user agreement restricts around 39 jurisdictions but no EU or EEA state, so LBank continues to accept EEA users without a MiCA authorisation. It is not on the ESMA CASP register.
FCA-registered Luno, part of Digital Currency Group, is leaving Europe. Accounts in the affected regions close on 1 September 2026 as Luno focuses on Africa and South-East Asia. It is not on the ESMA CASP register.
Swyftx is a Brisbane-based, AUSTRAC-registered exchange that serves Australia and New Zealand. It has no EU or EEA presence and is not on the ESMA CASP register.
Uphold’s Portuguese entity missed the 1 July 2026 deadline while Banco de Portugal and the CMVM were still reviewing its MiCAR CASP application. Uphold paused all crypto and fiat deposits for EEA customers on 1 July 2026. Withdrawals remain available. The FCA-registered UK arm is separate and unaffected.
The Indian exchange is restructuring after its 2024 hack. It is not on the ESMA register.
See the MiCA-licensed exchanges or the full filterable directory.
Missing and unclear entries are not all the same
The 54 platforms above fall into several statuses. A pending application differs from a wind-down. An unresolved entity match or a protocol-scope assessment needs a separate review. A registration outside the EEA does not create MiCA permission. The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) registration comparison shows how domestic status differs from MiCA authorisation.
| Status | Exchanges | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Application in progress | 4 | Has applied for or publicly committed to a CASP licence, and the decision is pending. |
| Restricting EEA users | 1 | The firm is restricting, delisting or withdrawing products or services for EEA users. |
| No MiCA licence | 36 | No MiCA authorisation and not publicly pursuing one. |
| Potentially out of scope | 6 | The protocol model may fall under MiCA Recital 22. Its interface, governance and intermediaries need a fact-specific review. |
| Status unclear | 7 | We could not confirm a clear MiCA status from public sources. |
Possible account changes
An in-scope platform without a current MiCA route can block new EEA sign-ups, reduce existing services or send an offboarding notice with a withdrawal deadline. Some firms continue to provide services without the required authorisation. Unclear entries and protocol-scope cases require separate checks of the entity and service. Verify the contracting entity and service before you rely on MiCA conduct, safeguarding or complaint rules. You can compare the licensed venues. Each detail page states the recorded situation and links to its sources.
Common questions
Is it illegal for me to use an unlicensed exchange from the EU?
MiCA regulates the provider, not the account holder. MiCA does not make it illegal for a user to hold an account. Since 1 July 2026, an in-scope firm generally needs Article 63 authorisation or an eligible Article 60 notification route to serve EU/EEA customers. A firm without a valid route can impose geo-restrictions, offboard users or remove services.
What should I do if my exchange is on this list?
Check its detail page for the specific situation, then follow the exchange’s dated official notices. Account access and withdrawals vary by platform and by the stage of a wind-down. Confirm the withdrawal process before you move assets. The licensed list shows the current MiCA register entries that we map to exchanges.
Why are DEXes like Uniswap listed separately as "out of scope"?
MiCA Recital 22 says the regulation should not apply where a service is provided in a fully decentralised manner without an intermediary. Whether a specific protocol, interface or governance arrangement qualifies depends on the facts. Our "out of scope" label is not a regulatory determination, and other EU rules can still apply.
Can an exchange on this list become licensed later?
Yes. Several have applications in progress, and the register can change each week. We record status changes in the changelog and recheck entries against the ESMA register.
Reviewed 11 August 2026. Status can change between snapshots. Verify the live ESMA register, the relevant national authority and the contracting entity before acting.