MiCA register expands across crypto firms and banking
The MiCA register reportedly added nine providers in its latest update, including entities associated with BingX, YouHodler and Santander’s Openbank, bringing the reported total to 375 unique crypto-asset service providers.
The October 19 coverage concerns additions to the register, rather than nine authorisations necessarily granted on the same day. One previously listed entry was also reported as removed, making the additions different from the net change in the total. The 375 count could not be independently recalculated from ESMA’s downloadable file during verification.
Two of the headline developments are supported by separate primary announcements: Austria’s regulator has published BingX EU’s authorisation, while YouHodler has detailed its Italian approval.
Together, they show how Europe’s crypto market is developing around identifiable legal entities and specific permissions.
BingX EU receives Austrian authorisation
Austria’s Financial Market Authority confirms that MEGE zweite GmbH received authorisation as a crypto-asset service provider under Article 63 of MiCA through a decision dated October 13, 2026. The regulator published its notice the following day.
BingX identifies that company as BingX EU, based in Vienna.
Its October 14 announcement says the authorisation supports planned services across 29 European Economic Area countries, subject to ongoing passporting arrangements. The announcement also describes preparations for launching regulated services, so authorisation should not be treated as confirmation that every intended market is already operational.
For customers, the contracting entity matters. Permission held by BingX EU does not automatically describe the regulatory position of every company or product using the wider BingX brand.
YouHodler Italy outlines five permitted services
YouHodler Italy says CONSOB authorised the company, after hearing the Bank of Italy, through resolution 24156 of October 8.
Its announcement identifies five covered activities:
Service | Scope described by YouHodler Italy |
Custody | Holding and administering clients’ crypto-assets |
Crypto-to-fiat exchange | Exchanging crypto-assets for funds |
Crypto-to-crypto exchange | Exchanging one crypto-asset for another |
Order execution | Executing orders on clients’ behalf |
Transfers | Providing crypto-asset transfer services |
The company says it plans to extend services across the EU through the relevant regulatory procedure.
That list is more informative than a blanket “MiCA licensed” label. It does not, by itself, establish approval for every lending, rewards or other product marketed elsewhere under the brand.
YouHodler co-founder Ilya Volkov called the authorisation:
“an important step”
toward serving customers within Europe’s framework. His statement concerns the company’s regulatory development, rather than a guarantee of investment returns or asset safety.
Openbank’s inclusion highlights a different regulatory route
The reported update also names Openbank Deutschland AG, a Santander-group entity. Its specific entry and service scope were not independently confirmed against the underlying ESMA file during this review.
There is an important distinction behind bank participation in MiCA.
Article 60 allows certain already regulated financial institutions to provide specified crypto-asset services through a notification procedure, rather than obtaining the same standalone authorisation required of a new crypto business. The applicable route depends on the institution and services involved.
Consequently, a consolidated provider count should not be described as a count of identical licences.
The banking angle connects with Bitnxt’s examination of why financial institutions are building crypto infrastructure: established institutions and specialist platforms can enter the market through different business models.
What customers can learn from a register entry
A useful provider check starts with the exact legal name, then moves to the home regulator, covered services and relevant operating jurisdictions.
The brand on an app may be easier to recognise than the company named in its terms. Matching those details helps establish which entity is responsible for the customer relationship.
European supervisory guidance encourages consumers to check both ESMA’s register and national regulators’ websites. It also makes clear that crypto-assets can remain risky within the regulated market.
Provider permissions are also separate from rules governing individual tokens. Bitnxt’s coverage of USDC’s significant-token designation under MiCA examines that different supervisory question.
Bitnxt View: The service scope matters more than the headline count
A growing register improves visibility into the businesses operating within Europe’s framework. Its practical value comes from the details behind each entry.
For Bitnxt, the next questions are whether authorised services have launched, which entity holds customer assets and what contractual protections apply. Those details will determine what the latest approvals change for users.
Regulatory status and custody arrangements should be assessed together. Our guide to hot wallets, cold wallets and custody explains the responsibilities involved when assets are held directly or through a provider.
