Binance has withdrawn its application for a Crypto Asset Markets (MiCA) license in Greece and will seek authorization in another European Union country, the crypto exchange announced via several X publications on Wednesday.
Although Binance did not immediately respond to CoinDesk’s request for comment, Gillian Lynch, head of Europe and the United Kingdom, told Reuters that “Binance will not leave Europe.” His comment follows his company’s attempt to obtain a license in Greece to offer crypto services in the EU which went awry.
Last week, Binance said its European MiCA regulatory application was compliant despite reports of a Greek rejection. “Our understanding is that the HCMC (Hellenic Capital Market Commission) has completed its review of the application and considered it to be in compliance with MiCA requirements, and that the application has also been reviewed at the ESMA level,” a Binance spokesperson told CoinDesk via email on June 16.
The decision comes days before the June 30 deadline. Under MiCA rules, crypto companies must obtain a license from at least one EU member state by July 1 to serve customers in the 27-country trading bloc. Unlicensed businesses must stop operating in the EU.
