The Banking Onslaught: Traditional Finance Claims Larger Share Under MiCA
The European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is reshaping the competitive landscape, with a clear frontrunner emerging: traditional banks. Recent data highlights a rapid acceleration in banks securing licenses to operate as Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs).
By the Numbers: Banks Double Their Presence
Between late June and mid-September, the number of banks appearing on the EU's registered CASP list jumped from approximately 40 to around 80—a 100% increase. Overall CASP registrations grew from 243 to 349 in the same period. Consequently, the share of banks among all licensed entities surged from about 17% to nearly 23%.
German Banks Lead the Charge
This expansion has been predominantly driven by German financial institutions. The new entrants include global heavyweight Deutsche Bank alongside a substantial number of regional cooperative banks, such as those within the Volksbank and Raiffeisenbank networks. This movement signals a broad-based strategic shift within the German banking sector towards embracing digital asset services.
The Regulatory Fast Track for Credit Institutions
A key factor enabling this rapid uptake is a specific provision within MiCA itself. Under Article 60, banks and other already-regulated credit institutions are not required to undergo the full CASP authorization process mandated for non-bank firms. Instead, they can leverage a streamlined "notification procedure," simply informing their national regulator of their intent to offer crypto services. This mechanism acts as a fast track, significantly reducing time-to-market for traditional finance players.
The rising proportion of banks among MiCA-authorized providers underscores the regulation's dual intent: to bring order to the crypto-native sector while actively onboarding the established financial system. The European crypto services market is evolving into a space where legacy banks and fintech innovators increasingly operate side-by-side.