Regulatory Guide · Updated July 2026
Which Forex Brokers Are MiCA-Ready? EU Crypto CFD Guide [July 2026]
The MiCA transitional period ended 1 July 2026. Only brokers holding a CASP authorisation or national-law equivalent may now offer crypto-asset services to EU clients. This page compares the MiCA readiness of EU-regulated forex brokers that offer cryptocurrency CFDs — verify current authorisation on the ESMA register before depositing.
Deadline Passed
1 July 2026:EU member states' MiCA transitional provisions have expired. Crypto-asset service providers without a CASP authorisation may no longer offer crypto services to EU retail clients. If you hold crypto positions or trade crypto CFDs with an EU broker, confirm their current MiCA authorisation on the ESMA register now.
MiCA status information below is based on publicly available regulatory filings and broker disclosures as of June 2026. Verify current authorisation status on ESMA's public register.
ESMA Risk Warning
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A high percentage of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
What MiCA Means for EU Crypto Traders
The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) is the EU's harmonised regulatory framework for digital assets. It replaced the patchwork of national crypto regulations with a single rulebook covering issuance, trading, and custody of crypto-assets across all 27 member states.
MiCA entered full application on 30 December 2024, but included a transitional provision: EU member states could allow existing crypto-asset service providers to continue operating under national rules for up to 18 months while their MiCA authorisation applications were processed. That 18-month window closed on 1 July 2026.
For retail traders, the practical implications are:
- Brokers offering crypto services must hold a CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) authorisation from their national competent authority, or be authorised as a credit institution or MiFID investment firm with a MiCA extension.
- Unauthorised providers may no longer offer crypto services to EU clients now the 1 July 2026 deadline has passed.
- Existing positions may need to be wound down or transferred if a broker fails to obtain authorisation.
- Crypto CFDs traded under MiFID II are a separate regulatory track, but most brokers are obtaining CASP authorisation alongside their existing MiFID licence for operational flexibility.
MiCA Readiness Comparison — EU Forex Brokers with Crypto CFDs
Sorted by MiCA status, then overall editorial score. Status reflects publicly available information as of June 2026.
| Broker | MiCA Status | Crypto Instruments | EU Entity | Licence | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eToro | Applied / Pending | 100+ crypto assets (CFDs + real ownership) | eToro (Europe) Ltd | CySEC 109/10 | 8.5 |
| Pepperstone | Transitional (ended) | 25+ crypto CFDs | Pepperstone EU Limited | CySEC 388/20 | 9.4 |
| IG | Applied / Pending | 15+ crypto CFDs | IG Europe GmbH | BaFin 148759 | 9.2 |
| Eightcap | Transitional (ended) | 250+ crypto CFDs | Eightcap EU Ltd | CySEC 246/14 | 8.4 |
| CMC Markets | Applied / Pending | 20+ crypto CFDs | CMC Markets Germany GmbH | BaFin 154814 | 8.9 |
| Plus500 | Transitional (ended) | 15+ crypto CFDs | Plus500CY Ltd | CySEC 250/14 | 8.1 |
| Exness | Transitional (ended) | 35+ crypto CFDs | Exness (Cy) Ltd | CySEC 178/12 | 9.4 |
| XM | Transitional (ended) | 30+ crypto CFDs | Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd | CySEC 120/10 | 8.7 |
| Capital.com | Applied / Pending | 200+ crypto CFDs | Capital Com SV Investments Ltd | CySEC 319/17 | 8.6 |
| Swissquote | Applied / Pending | 40+ crypto assets (CFDs + real ownership) | Swissquote Bank SA | FINMA (Swiss banking licence) | 8.8 |
“Applied / Pending” = the broker has publicly indicated it has applied for or is pursuing MiCA CASP authorisation. “Transitional (ended)” = was operating under the member-state transitional regime, which closed on 1 July 2026; confirm current CASP authorisation on the ESMA register. “Not confirmed” = no public disclosure of MiCA application status found. All statuses are editorial assessments, not legal advice.
Broker-by-Broker MiCA Assessment
Our editorial take on each broker's crypto offering and MiCA readiness.
eToro acquired a MiCA CASP licence application in multiple EU jurisdictions. Offers both crypto CFDs and real coin custody via eToro Money.
- Crypto Range
- 100+ crypto assets (CFDs + real ownership)
- EU Entity
- eToro (Europe) Ltd
- Licence
- CySEC 109/10
- Min Deposit
- $50
EEA clients are onboarded to its Cyprus entity, which offered crypto CFDs under the CySEC transitional provision that closed on 1 July 2026; confirm current CASP authorisation on the ESMA register. (Pepperstone GmbH, BaFin-regulated, serves German clients separately.)
- Crypto Range
- 25+ crypto CFDs
- EU Entity
- Pepperstone EU Limited
- Licence
- CySEC 388/20
- Min Deposit
- None
IG Europe is BaFin-regulated and has publicly indicated pursuit of MiCA compliance. Listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250).
- Crypto Range
- 15+ crypto CFDs
- EU Entity
- IG Europe GmbH
- Licence
- BaFin 148759
- Min Deposit
- None
Largest crypto CFD range among regulated brokers. Operated under the CySEC transitional provision, which closed on 1 July 2026; confirm current CASP authorisation on the ESMA register.
- Crypto Range
- 250+ crypto CFDs
- EU Entity
- Eightcap EU Ltd
- Licence
- CySEC 246/14
- Min Deposit
- $100
FTSE 250-listed. BaFin-regulated EU entity with established crypto CFD offering.
- Crypto Range
- 20+ crypto CFDs
- EU Entity
- CMC Markets Germany GmbH
- Licence
- BaFin 154814
- Min Deposit
- None
London Stock Exchange-listed. Offered crypto CFDs through its CySEC entity under the transitional provision, which closed on 1 July 2026; confirm current CASP authorisation on the ESMA register.
- Crypto Range
- 15+ crypto CFDs
- EU Entity
- Plus500CY Ltd
- Licence
- CySEC 250/14
- Min Deposit
- €100
Offered crypto CFDs through its CySEC entity under the transitional provision, which closed on 1 July 2026; confirm current CASP authorisation on the ESMA register. One of the highest-volume retail brokers globally.
- Crypto Range
- 35+ crypto CFDs
- EU Entity
- Exness (Cy) Ltd
- Licence
- CySEC 178/12
- Min Deposit
- $10
CySEC-regulated with a broad crypto CFD range. Strong in education and multilingual support.
- Crypto Range
- 30+ crypto CFDs
- EU Entity
- Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd
- Licence
- CySEC 120/10
- Min Deposit
- $5
AI-driven platform with one of the broadest crypto CFD selections. Has indicated MiCA licence pursuit.
- Crypto Range
- 200+ crypto CFDs
- EU Entity
- Capital Com SV Investments Ltd
- Licence
- CySEC 319/17
- Min Deposit
- €20
Swiss banking licence holder. Offers real crypto custody alongside CFDs. Pursuing MiCA authorisation for EU crypto services.
- Crypto Range
- 40+ crypto assets (CFDs + real ownership)
- EU Entity
- Swissquote Bank SA
- Licence
- FINMA (Swiss banking licence)
- Min Deposit
- CHF 1000
What Happens to Your Crypto Positions After 1 July?
The outcome depends on whether your broker obtained MiCA CASP authorisation by the 1 July 2026 deadline and on the specific crypto services they offer.
| Scenario | What Happens | Your Action |
|---|---|---|
| Broker obtains CASP authorisation | No disruption. Crypto services continue as normal under the new MiCA framework. | None required. Verify authorisation on ESMA's register for peace of mind. |
| Broker's application is still pending | Depends on the NCA. Some member states may grant extensions; others may require the broker to pause new crypto onboarding while existing positions remain open. | Contact your broker for their specific transition plan. Consider reducing open crypto exposure if uncertain. |
| Broker has not applied | The broker must cease crypto services to EU clients. Open positions may be forcibly closed or transferred. The exact mechanism depends on the NCA and the broker's wind-down plan. | If you still hold crypto positions with an unauthorised broker, transfer them to a MiCA-authorised broker without delay. |
| Broker offers only crypto CFDs (no custody/exchange) | Crypto CFDs are regulated under MiFID II, not MiCA. These may continue under the broker's existing MiFID licence without a separate CASP authorisation. | Confirm with your broker whether their crypto offering is CFD-only or includes services falling under MiCA. |
This is an editorial summary, not legal advice. Regulatory outcomes may vary by member state and individual broker circumstances.
How to Check If Your Broker Is MiCA-Authorised
Check ESMA’s public register
ESMA maintains a centralised register of authorised crypto-asset service providers across the EU. Search by firm name or licence number. This is the single most authoritative source.
Check your national competent authority
Each NCA (BaFin, CySEC, AMF, etc.) maintains its own register. If your broker’s EU entity is in Cyprus, check CySEC’s register. If in Germany, check BaFin. Cross-reference with ESMA for completeness.
Ask your broker directly
Send a written enquiry asking: (1) Have you applied for MiCA CASP authorisation? (2) Which NCA is processing your application? (3) What is your plan for existing crypto positions if authorisation is delayed? A regulated broker should answer all three without hesitation.
Review the broker’s legal pages
Check the broker’s Terms of Service, regulatory disclosures, and any MiCA-specific communications. Many brokers have published client notices about their MiCA transition plans.
Check the register now
The transitional deadline has passed (1 July 2026). If your broker has not confirmed MiCA CASP authorisation on the ESMA register, consider closing crypto positions or transferring to a confirmed provider.
Crypto CFDs vs MiCA-Regulated Crypto Services
A key distinction that determines which regulatory framework applies.
| Aspect | Crypto CFDs | MiCA-Regulated Crypto |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Framework | MiFID II / ESMA intervention measures | MiCA (Regulation (EU) 2023/1114) |
| Licence Required | MiFID investment firm licence | CASP authorisation (or credit institution / MiFID firm with MiCA extension) |
| Asset Ownership | No — contract with the broker | Yes — direct ownership and custody |
| Leverage (Retail) | 1:2 under ESMA caps | Not applicable (1:1) |
| Affected by 1 July Deadline? | Indirectly — many brokers are obtaining CASP authorisation alongside MiFID licence | Directly — must have CASP authorisation to continue |
| Examples | BTC/USD CFD at Pepperstone, ETH/EUR CFD at Exness | Real BTC purchase at eToro, crypto custody at Swissquote |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is MiCA and when does it fully apply?
What happens to my crypto positions after 1 July 2026 if my broker is not MiCA-authorised?
How do I check if my broker has a MiCA CASP licence?
Does MiCA affect crypto CFDs or only real crypto ownership?
What is the MiCA transitional provision?
Which EU regulators handle MiCA authorisation?
Are UK-regulated brokers affected by MiCA?
Will MiCA change the leverage limits on crypto CFDs?
CFD Risk Warning
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A high percentage of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
This website is for informational purposes only. The content does not constitute investment advice. Trading leveraged products carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. EU retail leverage limits apply (ESMA): up to 30:1 on major FX pairs, 20:1 on minor FX, 20:1 on major indices, 10:1 on commodities, 5:1 on equities, 2:1 on crypto.