Three financial firms, crypto exchange BingX, crypto lending and savings platform YouHodler, and Openbank, the fully digital banking arm of Santander Group, have joined the European Union's MiCA register, the official list of crypto-asset service providers authorised to operate under the bloc's landmark digital-asset law. Their addition points to continued momentum in the rollout of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation across the EU.

Three Firms Added to the ESMA-Maintained List

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 names to appear on the list.

BingX operates a crypto exchange offering spot and derivatives trading to users worldwide. YouHodler runs a crypto lending and savings platform that is popular with retail users in Europe. Openbank is the digital-only banking arm of Santander Group, one of Europe's largest banks, which makes it one of the most prominent traditional finance names to appear on the register.

An entry on the register means a firm has met the requirements MiCA sets out for offering specified crypto services to customers in the EU. It does not mean that every service a firm offers is covered. Firms are authorised for particular activities, and customers should check which services apply to their situation. ESMA publishes the full register data and updates it as new authorisations are granted, most recently in the October 2026 register update.

The inclusion of Openbank stands out because it shows established banks with digital arms 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 Register Means for Europe's Crypto Sector

MiCA, short for Markets in Crypto-Assets, is an EU regulation that creates a unified legal framework for crypto-asset services across all member states. The framework was adopted in 2023, with its stablecoin provisions applying from June 2024 and the full crypto-asset service provider regime applying from December 2024. Before MiCA, crypto firms typically had to register separately with regulators in every country where they wanted to operate. The regulation replaces that patchwork with a single authorisation that can cover the whole EU.

The register serves as the central public record of who has been authorised. For everyday users, it functions much like a banking licence list: 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 — the cross-border passporting right at the heart of the framework. That kind of regulatory clarity is something the crypto industry has sought in Europe for years.

The register has grown steadily since MiCA's crypto-asset service provider rules took full effect, and each successive ESMA update gives a current view of which firms hold EU-wide authorisation. Traditional finance has taken notice as well. Just as regulatory filings in the United States have shaped how asset managers approach crypto products, MiCA authorisation is becoming a key threshold for European market access. EU-focused stablecoin issuers are also adjusting their services to fit the post-MiCA landscape, as seen in recent fee changes by Circle for its EURC stablecoin.

One distinction is worth keeping 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.

A Free Public Check for Users

For anyone holding crypto or considering a 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 shows whether it 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.