**France Flags 90+ Crypto Companies Operating Without MiCA Licenses**
French regulators have recently flagged over 90 crypto companies operating in the country without the necessary licenses under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. The Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), France’s financial market regulator, revealed that about 40% of crypto firms operating in France lack compliance licenses and have yet to submit their compliance plans.
Stephane Pontoizeau, the executive director at the AMF overseeing market intermediaries and infrastructures, stated that reminders were sent to these companies in November 2025. The notices emphasized that the MiCA transition period will end on June 30, 2026, by which time all companies must comply and obtain the required licenses.
### Compliance Status and Upcoming Deadline
Of the 90 unlicensed crypto firms, around 40% have indicated they do not intend to apply for a license. Another 30% have reported that their license applications are still in progress. The AMF has not disclosed which companies have refused to apply or have yet to respond, leaving the market uncertain about which firms may face enforcement actions once the June deadline passes.
Since MiCA fully came into force in late 2024, the AMF has approved licenses for only a small number of crypto companies. For example, CoinShares, a major crypto investment firm, received its license in July 2025, followed by Switzerland’s Bitcoin app Relai a few months later. The relatively slow pace of approvals has raised concerns about the European Union’s ability to enforce MiCA regulations effectively.
### Regulatory Challenges and EU-Wide Implications
In December, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the Paris-based regulator overseeing compliance in the region, warned that unlicensed crypto firms should prepare plans for an orderly wind-down of their operations once the transition period ends. French authorities support granting ESMA centralized supervisory powers to better enforce compliance, but some member states, including Malta, have voiced strong opposition to this move.
France has also emerged as a vocal critic of the EU’s passporting system, where companies licensed in one member state can operate across the EU. Regulators caution that some firms might seek licenses in countries with looser regulatory environments, potentially weakening the overall effectiveness of MiCA across Europe.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing EU-wide oversight with individual countries’ interests in a fast-evolving crypto sector.
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**U.S. Senate Banking Committee Releases CLARITY Crypto Bill Ahead of Markup**
On January 13, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee unveiled the full text of the long-awaited Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY), just ahead of the committee’s expected markup later this week.
The comprehensive 278-page bill moves away from regulating crypto tokens individually and instead introduces a clear “lane system” that assigns regulatory jurisdiction based on how a digital asset functions throughout its lifecycle. This approach aims to provide greater clarity for investors, innovators, and regulators alike.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott emphasized that the CLARITY Act offers Americans clear protections and said, “Investors and innovators cannot wait while bad actors take advantage.” The legislation focuses on protecting Main Street investors, targeting criminal activity and foreign threats, and securing the future of the financial system.
### Market Optimism Around the CLARITY Act
The proposal arrives at a crucial moment for the crypto industry. Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, compared the bill to the “Punxsutawney Phil of this crypto winter,” implying that its passage could usher in renewed market growth and potentially new all-time highs.
Crypto prediction markets have responded with optimism as well. Polymarket users currently assign an 80% probability that the CLARITY Act will be signed into law within this year, reflecting strong industry and investor confidence in the bill’s prospects.
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As France tightens its regulatory stance under MiCA and the U.S. moves toward clearer crypto rules with the CLARITY Act, the global crypto landscape is set for significant change in 2026 and beyond. Stakeholders across the ecosystem will need to closely monitor regulatory developments to stay compliant and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/crypto/crypto-news-france-warns-90-unlicensed-crypto-firms-ahead-of-mica-deadline/
