ESMA expands MiCA register to 321 authorized crypto providers
The EU's interim register adds 12 compliant firms while the list of non-compliant entities grows to 167.
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has expanded its interim register of crypto-asset service providers, signaling a steady migration of firms toward the European Union's unified regulatory framework. The latest update marks the fourth post-deadline revision since the end of the regulation's transition period.
In this specific update, ESMA added 12 new authorized Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs) to the register. This brings the total number of authorized firms to 321. Simultaneously, the regulator added three more firms to the register of non-compliant providers, bringing the total number of entities flagged as non-compliant to 167, according to reports from Cointelegraph and Odaily.
The MiCA Framework
These updates are part of the broader implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, the EU's comprehensive legal framework for digital assets. Following a transition period that ended on July 1, firms operating within the EU are now required to be authorized as CASPs to legally provide services. Because a permanent registration system is not expected to be fully established until mid-2026, ESMA is maintaining an interim register, updated weekly, to track which entities are meeting the new standards and which are not.
Market Implications
The growth of the authorized list suggests a continuing consolidation of the European crypto market under a single regulatory regime. For firms, the shift from a fragmented national approach to a unified EU-wide license provides a clearer path to legal operation across member states. However, the increasing number of non-compliant entries indicates that the enforcement phase of MiCA is now in full effect.
Regulatory Outlook
As ESMA continues to refine the register, the consequences for unauthorized providers are becoming more severe. Firms listed as non-compliant face significant legal risks and may be forced to restrict their operations to 'withdrawal-only' mode or exit the EU market entirely to avoid penalties. Market participants will be watching the weekly updates to see if the rate of authorization accelerates as the 2026 permanent system deadline approaches.