CoinDesk: France intensifies its AML inspections on crypto exchanges such as Binance and Coinhouse ahead of the EU’s new MiCA licensing regime

The checks aim to ensure firms strengthen compliance systems, risk controls, and IT security before the June 2026 deadline to secure MiCA authorisation, which will allow them to operate across the EU. While over 100 firms in France are registered as digital asset service providers, only four have obtained full MiCA licences so far. France, backed by Austria and Italy, is also pushing for the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to take on a stronger supervisory role to harmonise enforcement and prevent regulatory arbitrage…