Three financial firms, BingX, YouHodler, and Openbank, have joined the EU MiCA register, the official list of crypto-asset service providers authorised to operate under Europe’s landmark digital-asset law. Their addition signals continued momentum in the rollout of the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation across the European Union.
BingX, YouHodler, and Openbank enter the EU MiCA register
The EU MiCA authorisation register, maintained by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), records firms that have received authorisation to provide crypto-asset services within the European Economic Area. BingX, YouHodler, and Openbank are among the latest firms to appear on that list. For related coverage, see Binance and Coinbase Join West Africa Scam Crackdown.
BingX is a crypto exchange that offers spot and derivatives trading to users worldwide. YouHodler is a crypto lending and savings platform popular among retail users in Europe. Openbank is the fully digital banking arm of Santander Group, one of Europe’s largest banks, making it one of the more notable traditional finance names to appear on the register. For related coverage, see South Korea Considers Crypto Tax Delay After Exchange Meeting.
A register entry means a firm has met the requirements set out under MiCA to offer specified crypto services to customers in the EU. It does not mean every service each firm offers is covered; firms are authorised for particular activities, and customers should check which services apply to their situation. The full register data is published by ESMA and updated as new authorisations are granted, including in the October 2026 register update. For related coverage, see Fidelity Crypto Wallet Transfers: California Notice Rules.
The inclusion of Openbank is notable because it shows that established banks with digital arms are pursuing MiCA authorisation alongside dedicated crypto-native firms. That mix reflects the broader intent of MiCA: to create a single rulebook covering both new entrants and legacy institutions offering crypto services.
What the MiCA register means for Europe’s crypto sector
MiCA, which stands for Markets in Crypto-Assets, is a regulation passed by the European Union that creates a unified legal framework for crypto-asset services across all EU member states. Before MiCA, crypto firms typically had to register separately with regulators in each country they wanted to operate in. MiCA replaces that patchwork with a single authorisation that can cover the whole EU.
The register is the central public record of who has been authorised. For everyday users, it functions similarly to a banking licence list: it is a place to verify whether the firm holding your funds or offering you a service has met the minimum legal standards required by EU law. Checking the register before using a crypto platform is one of the simplest steps a new user can take to reduce risk.
For firms, appearing on the register is a significant milestone. It means they have passed ESMA’s review and can legally market and provide their authorised services to customers across the EU without needing separate approvals in each country. That kind of regulatory clarity is something the crypto industry has been pushing for in Europe for years.
The register has been growing steadily since MiCA’s crypto-asset service provider rules took full effect. Traditional finance has taken notice too. Just as regulatory filings in the US have shaped how asset managers approach crypto products, MiCA authorisation is becoming a key threshold for European market access. Separately, developments like Circle’s recent EURC fee changes show how EU-focused stablecoin issuers are also adjusting their services to fit the post-MiCA landscape.
It is worth keeping one distinction in mind. Appearing on the MiCA register is not the same as having a clean regulatory record or a guarantee of safety. It means a firm has been authorised to operate, not that it will never encounter problems. Regulation sets a floor, not a ceiling, for consumer protection.
For anyone holding crypto or thinking about their first purchase, the practical takeaway is straightforward: the MiCA register is a free, public resource. Before depositing funds with any European crypto platform, looking up the firm on the ESMA register takes less than a minute and tells you whether that firm is operating legally under EU rules. The additions of BingX, YouHodler, and Openbank mean those three platforms now carry that authorisation.
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.
