Paybis survey says most crypto users don’t know if their exchange is MiCA-compliant

Paybis released a survey of more than 850 European crypto users one week after the EU’s MiCA transitional window closed on 1 July 2026. The findings suggest many users may need to move exchanges, even as most say they are unsure whether their current platform can legally operate in Europe.

Why it matters: - The EU’s MiCA regime now applies across all 27 member states, and exchanges without a Crypto-Asset Service Provider licence cannot legally serve EU clients. - The transition is forcing millions of European crypto holders to recheck where they trade, custody and withdraw funds. - Paybis’ survey suggests many users may not know their current exchange has lost the right to operate in Europe.

What happened: - Paybis released The Great MiCA Migration, a survey of 850+ European crypto users, one week after the MiCA transitional window closed on 1 July 2026. - The survey found 68.6% of respondents do not know whether their current exchange is MiCA-compliant. - Paybis is a MiCA-licensed crypto exchange and wallet.

The details: - MiCA has applied in full to crypto-asset service providers in the EU since 30 December 2024. - Firms with national licences had 18 months to secure full authorisation. - Roughly 80% of more than 1,200 previously registered firms missed the deadline. - Of the world’s 100 largest exchanges, fewer than 20 held a CASP licence as of 8 July. - Unlicensed platforms have begun shifting some accounts to withdrawal-only mode. - The report says exchanges, custodians and brokers serving EU clients without a CASP licence are now in breach of EU law. - The survey ranked fees and pricing as the top factor in choosing a new exchange at 31.8%. - Trustpilot and Google reviews ranked second at 26.9%. - Personal recommendations followed at 21.6%. - Introductory offers came last at 19.7%. - Paybis CEO Innokenty Isers said most platforms that lost the right to serve European users held a national AML registration, not a CASP authorisation. - Isers said Paybis’ MiCA CASP licence is public and verifiable and that every trade cost is visible before confirmation. - The company’s announcement was posted on LinkedIn.

Between the lines: - The survey points to a disconnect between regulatory change and user awareness. - Users appear to care most about price and trust signals when forced to migrate, not promotional offers. - The CASP deadline is creating a competitive split between licensed platforms and exchanges that may have to restrict EU customers.

What’s next: - More European users may be pushed to change exchanges as unlicensed platforms tighten access. - Exchanges that want to keep EU customers will need to secure CASP authorisation or face operational limits. - User scrutiny of fees, reviews and verifiable licensing is likely to intensify as the migration continues.

The bottom line: - MiCA has turned regulatory compliance into a user-facing buying decision, and most crypto users still do not know whether their current exchange can legally stay open in Europe.