Greece has achieved its first registrations under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework, with four domestic providers now listed on the European Securities and Markets Authority's official register.
The newly registered providers are BCash, Xenios Blockchain Group, Capital Wallet Greece, and Piraeus Bank, a major Greek lender. The update, issued Thursday, also included six providers from Germany, France, and Slovenia, bringing the total register to 359 unique providers across the EU.
Divided Regulatory Authority
Greece's implementation of MiCA divides oversight between two competent authorities. The Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) is listed as the supervisor for three of the providers, while the Bank of Greece oversees Piraeus Bank. This split reflects MiCA's allowance for member states to designate multiple authorities and distribute regulatory responsibilities.
Binance Application Withdrawn
Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, had pursued Greek authorization under MiCA but withdrew its application on June 24 before the HCMC issued a formal decision. A Greek authorization would have permitted the exchange to offer services throughout the EU under MiCA's passporting system.
In September, the Wall Street Journal reported that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde had intervened to block the application, citing communications from Greek officials indicating the HCMC intended to approve it.
Regulator Denies Reported Intervention
The HCMC has issued an expanded denial of the reported remarks. In a written response, the regulator stated that no official made the reported comments and that it received no communication regarding Binance's application from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, his office, the Finance Ministry, or other government officials.
The HCMC said: "HCMC categorically rejects the assertions attributed to it. No HCMC official has had any communication with any ECB official on this matter, and none of the reported statements were made by HCMC or its officials."
When asked whether its denial covered the report that an HCMC vice chair made the remarks to Binance, the regulator confirmed it did.
Binance declined to address the reported intervention, telling Cointelegraph it would not comment on speculation while reaffirming its commitment to securing MiCA authorization in Europe. The ECB also declined to comment.
