Binance fires back: "Our application was compliant"

@binance is pushing back against a Reuters report that its bid for a European crypto license is headed for rejection, setting up a high-stakes dispute just days before a hard regulatory deadline.

What Reuters Reported

According to Reuters, two people familiar with the matter said Binance's application to Greece's Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) is set to be turned down. Binance submitted its application through Greece's market regulator in January 2026. The exchange had established a local holding company, Binary Greece, around the same time, with co-CEO Richard Teng previously pointing to Greece's workforce quality and growth potential as reasons for choosing Athens as its regulatory home base.

A single MiCA authorization grants passporting rights across all 27 EU member countries, making a national license essential for pan-European access. Existing providers were allowed to continue operating under national transitional rules, but that window ends on June 30, 2026. From July 1, crypto firms that are not authorized under MiCA may have to stop offering services in the EU until they receive approval.

Binance's Rebuttal

In a blog post, Binance said that the HCMC had completed its review of the exchange's application and "considered it compliant with MiCA requirements," subject to review at the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). A Binance spokesman added that "HCMC informed ESMA that it was their view that the application was compliant and that they intended to progress the licence and move to authorise at an upcoming Board meeting."

The company said it would update users by June 30, the deadline for the MiCA application. HCMC declined to comment, citing confidentiality rules. No formal rejection has been issued.

Competitors with approved MiCA licenses, such as Coinbase and Kraken, stand to gain users seeking compliant trading venues if Binance is ultimately locked out of the bloc. With conflicting accounts from Reuters sources and Binance itself, the outcome remains unclear ahead of the June 30 cutoff.

Sources:
CoinDesk: Binance Says Its European Regulatory Application Is Compliant Despite Report of Greek Rejection
Cointelegraph: Binance Says it Considers EU License Compliant Amid Reports of Potential Rejection
The Crypto Times: Binance May Lose EU Access in July as MiCA Licence Bid Falters