France Ramps Up Crypto Exchange Inspections as MiCA Deadline Looms

France's banking regulator, the ACPR, began extensive anti-money laundering (AML) checks in late 2024 on over 100 registered crypto service providers, including Binance, ahead of the June 2026 deadline for full authorization under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. Only four companies have received full approval so far, indicating a strict approval process where failure to comply risks losing access to the entire EU market via passporting rights. Binance acknowledged the routine nature of these checks, which are shared with the AMF for final licensing decisions. Furthermore, France is actively lobbying for centralized EU oversight under the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to ensure uniform enforcement, contrasting with some member states that prefer national control. This strict stance follows Binance's prior regulatory issues, including a major settlement in the US.

(Source：Brave New Coin)