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Regulatory updates · MiCA timeline
A dated, sourced timeline of the milestones, guidance, and deadlines that shape crypto licensing in the EU — from MiCA entering into force to the close of the transitional period. Every entry links to its official source. For the rules behind the dates, see the crypto licensing guide.
The last set of ESMA guidelines for crypto-asset service providers under MiCA Title V becomes applicable, completing the EU's regulatory and supervisory framework for CASPs.
The backstop for MiCA's transitional period: from this point, national grandfathering of pre-MiCA crypto firms has ended across the EU. A firm serving EU clients without a MiCA CASP authorisation is operating outside the framework.
In a further statement, ESMA called on crypto-asset service providers to apply for MiCA authorisation as soon as possible and to avoid client detriment, and reiterated that providers without authorisation must wind down in an orderly way before the transitional period ends.
ESMA and the EBA published joint guidelines on the templates for explanations and legal opinions, and a standardised test for the classification of crypto-assets — alongside ESMA guidelines on supervisory practices to detect market abuse under MiCA.
ESMA published guidelines on the criteria for assessing the knowledge and competence of staff who give information or advice on crypto-assets under MiCA — part of the framework's continuing build-out of conduct standards.
The Digital Operational Resilience Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2554) started to apply, setting ICT risk-management, incident-reporting, and third-party-oversight requirements for financial entities — crypto-asset service providers included.
MiCA's crypto-asset service provider (CASP) authorisation regime started to apply, alongside the recast Transfer of Funds Regulation (EU) 2023/1113 — the Travel Rule — extending originator and beneficiary information requirements to crypto transfers.
MiCA's Titles III and IV — the rules for asset-referenced tokens (ARTs) and e-money tokens (EMTs) — started to apply, bringing stablecoin issuance in the EU under a dedicated authorisation regime.
Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 — the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation — entered into force, setting the timetable for the EU's first comprehensive crypto-asset rulebook and its phased application.
This timeline tracks confirmed regulatory developments. It is informational, not legal advice. For a structured shortlist of firms that handle MiCA licensing, use Get a shortlist.