Greece has appeared in the European Union’s central MiCA register with four domestic crypto-service providers, bringing BCASH, Xenios Blockchain Group, Capital Wallet Greece and Piraeus Bank into the European Securities and Markets Authority database. The September update marks Greece’s first representation in ESMA’s register, rather than four licenses being granted simultaneously. The underlying regulatory dates stretch from June 30 through August 7.
According to ESMA’s interim MiCA register, which was last updated on September 24, national competent authorities supply the information that appears in the database. ESMA’s interim MiCA register The Greek entries illustrate how MiCA is moving from transitional national regimes toward a centralized record of regulated European providers, a process occurring as the EU already considers how the framework may evolve beyond its current form. Europe’s next phase beyond the current MiCA framework
Greece’s First MiCA Providers Follow Different Regulatory Paths
BCASH received its HCMC authorization on June 30 for exchanging crypto-assets for funds, while Xenios Blockchain Group and Capital Wallet Greece were authorized on July 22. The scope of those permissions differs significantly between providers: Xenios is authorized for receiving and transmitting client orders, while Capital Wallet’s authorization covers six services including custody, crypto-to-fiat and crypto-to-crypto exchange, order execution and transfers.
Piraeus Bank is structurally different. As an existing credit institution, Piraeus can use MiCA’s Article 60 notification procedure instead of applying for a standalone CASP authorization under Article 63. ESMA data lists the Bank of Greece as its competent authority, with an August 7 regulatory date and services covering custody, order execution, reception and transmission of orders, and crypto-asset transfers. The Bank of Greece confirms that credit institutions intending to provide crypto services must notify it under Article 60.
The distinction also makes Piraeus part of a broader convergence between banking and digital-asset infrastructure. European banks are increasingly adding crypto exposure or services through existing regulated structures rather than operating as standalone crypto platforms, including brokerage models that provide crypto-linked products without requiring customers to manage private keys. regulated crypto products offered through European banking infrastructure
Binance Withdrawal Remains Separate From Greek MiCA Entries
The register update follows a more contentious Greek licensing episode involving Binance. The exchange confirmed on June 24 that it had withdrawn its MiCA application with HCMC and would pursue authorization in another EU member state. Binance said the decision followed its assessment of the status and timeline of the Greek process, rather than a formal rejection announced by HCMC.
A September 18 Wall Street Journal report alleged that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde had urged Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis not to support Binance’s application. That account remains disputed rather than established regulatory fact. HCMC subsequently said no official had made the remarks attributed to the regulator, denied communication with ECB officials on the matter and said it received no intervention concerning the application from the Greek prime minister, his office or the Finance Ministry.
Greece therefore enters ESMA’s MiCA register with a mix of crypto-native businesses and a major domestic bank, while the Binance dispute remains a separate unresolved account of an application that was withdrawn before a final public decision. The next measurable milestone is whether the four registered Greek entities expand their approved services or passport them into additional European markets, providing evidence of commercial activity beyond the regulatory registrations themselves. MiCA’s increasingly fragmented national implementation may also shape where that expansion occurs. how regulatory fragmentation can affect European crypto markets
