On April 20, 2026, Circle, a leading e-money token issuer under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation, received approval from the Autorité des marchés financiers to provide crypto-asset services in France within the MiCA framework.

This approval allows Circle France to offer custody and transfer services for stablecoins USDC and EURC issued by the company, in line with Article 60(4) of MiCA. These services can be provided to customers across the European Economic Area.

The new authorization builds on Circle’s existing regulatory standing within the EU, where it holds e-money institution licenses for USDC and EURC issuance. The addition of an AMF authorisation further enhances Circle’s ability to offer a wider range of regulated services through its French entity.

Context of MiCA Regulations

MiCA came into full force for stablecoin issuers in June 2024, mandating that e-money token issuers operating within the EU must hold appropriate licenses and comply with reserve, governance, and consumer protection requirements. The custody and transfer service authorization under Article 60(4) specifically addresses a category of crypto-asset services related to regulated issuer’s own tokens, providing a structured pathway for stablecoin issuers to offer associated custody and settlement services within the same regulatory framework.

Circle has positioned its European expansion as compliance-focused, operating within developing regulatory frameworks rather than seeking exemptions or entering unregulated markets.

Commenting on the approval, Dante Disparte, Circle’s Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy, emphasized that the authorization underscores the company’s commitment to working within European regulatory frameworks and supporting the development of trusted digital financial infrastructure in France and across the EU.