Circle Internet Financial Europe SAS has reportedly secured approval under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework to offer custody and transfer services for USDC and EURC across the European Economic Area.
The French financial markets regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), lists Circle France as “Licensed MICA” on its official whitelist with licensing number N2026 – 005 and a licensing date of 23/04/2026. The AMF entry specifies that Circle France is authorized to provide custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients, plus transfer services for crypto-assets on behalf of clients.
According to the AMF whitelist comments, Circle France was authorized by the ACPR (Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution) with the assent of the AMF under the Article 60 MiCA notification procedure. Circle itself announced the approval on May 4, 2026, stating it received AMF approval on April 20 to offer custody and transfer services tied to USDC and EURC across the EEA.
Dante Disparte, Circle’s Chief Strategy Officer, commented on the development.
“This milestone reflects our continued commitment to working within European regulatory frameworks.”
— Dante Disparte, Circle blog
How this CASP authorization differs from Circle’s 2024 MiCA compliance
This approval is distinct from Circle’s earlier MiCA milestone. On July 1, 2024, Circle became the first global stablecoin issuer to comply with MiCA after obtaining a French Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from the ACPR, which permitted issuance of USDC and EURC in the EU.
The new 2026 authorization expands Circle France’s scope from stablecoin issuance into crypto-asset service provision (CASP) under MiCA Article 60. This means the company can now custody client assets and execute transfers, not merely issue stablecoins.
MiCA is the EU’s comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto-assets, requiring any firm offering crypto services within the bloc to obtain authorization from a national competent authority. The framework aims to create a unified licensing regime across all 27 EU member states and the broader EEA, replacing the patchwork of national rules that previously governed the sector.
Scale context for Circle’s expanded European services
USDC, the stablecoin most directly affected by this approval, carries a market capitalization of roughly $77.79 billion with approximately $16.4 billion in daily trading volume. The token traded near $0.9999 at the time of research.
The approval gives Circle a regulated pathway to offer custody and transfer services for both dollar-denominated USDC and euro-denominated EURC to institutional clients, exchanges, and payment providers across the EEA. This positions the company to compete more directly with European-native crypto custodians already licensed under national regimes.
The broader crypto market registered a Fear & Greed Index reading of 50 (Neutral) during the period, suggesting the regulatory development landed in a balanced sentiment environment rather than during extreme euphoria or panic.
Competitive implications for stablecoin services in Europe
Circle’s CASP authorization could strengthen its position against rivals seeking European market share, particularly as institutional appetite for digital assets continues growing. Exchanges and platforms operating in the EEA may now prefer Circle’s regulated custody and transfer infrastructure over unregulated alternatives.
The approval also arrives as corporate treasury activity in crypto accelerates, creating potential demand for compliant stablecoin custody services from firms holding USDC or EURC as working capital.
For EURC specifically, the combination of EMI-based issuance rights and CASP-level service authorization gives Circle a vertically integrated offering in the euro stablecoin market, a segment where competition remains relatively thin compared to the crowded dollar-stablecoin space.
The practical impact will depend on how quickly Circle onboards institutional partners and whether competing stablecoin issuers, including Tether, pursue equivalent MiCA CASP authorizations. As DeFi protocols navigate their own regulatory and governance challenges, Circle’s fully licensed approach represents one model for how stablecoin infrastructure may evolve under MiCA’s requirements.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.
