The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its first post-transition update to the interim Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) register. This latest refresh incorporates 37 newly authorized crypto-asset service providers (CASPs), bringing the overall count of MiCA-compliant entities across the European Union to 280. A standout addition in this batch is Standard Chartered.
The global bank received its MiCA authorization on June 29, 2026, through its Luxembourg subsidiary, together with an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license.
This approval enables the institution to offer regulated digital asset services, including custody solutions, to clients throughout the EU via passporting rights.
MiCA’s transitional arrangements for CASPs concluded on July 1, 2026. From that point forward, only firms listed in ESMA’s central register may lawfully provide crypto-asset services—such as custody, trading, exchange, or portfolio management—to EU clients.
Entities operating without authorization now face stricter enforcement risks and must cease activities or complete the full licensing process.
Standard Chartered’s inclusion highlights the growing participation of established financial institutions in the regulated crypto sector. The bank described the dual MiCA and EMI licenses as a pivotal step in advancing its European digital asset custody strategy.
Luxembourg serves as its primary European hub, allowing a phased rollout of compliant services while meeting the highest standards of investor protection and operational resilience.
National competent authorities continue to process applications at varying speeds. Germany currently leads with the highest number of authorized CASPs, followed by France and the Netherlands.
Among the 280 registered providers, only a relatively small subset—around 17—hold permissions to operate trading platforms, reflecting the rigorous criteria applied to higher-risk activities.
ESMA maintains the interim register as a set of downloadable CSV files covering authorized CASPs, issuers of asset-referenced tokens and e-money tokens, and published white papers.
The files are updated periodically and serve as the single reference point for verifying compliance status.
Market participants, investors, and service providers are encouraged to consult the latest version directly to confirm whether a firm is properly authorized before engaging in any crypto-related activities within the EU.
This update arrives at a critical juncture. With the transition period now over, the EU crypto market enters a new phase of full MiCA application.
The addition of major players like Standard Chartered is expected to boost institutional confidence by demonstrating that traditional finance can operate seamlessly within the new harmonized framework.
At the same time, it underscores the regulation’s core objectives: enhancing market integrity, protecting retail and institutional users, and fostering innovation under clear, consistent rules.
For firms still navigating the authorization process, the key takeaway is quite clear now—timely compliance is essential. For clients and counterparties, the expanded register provides greater transparency and a reliable tool for due diligence. As more entities secure approval and the register continues to evolve, the European crypto ecosystem is steadily maturing into a more structured and trustworthy environment.
