ECB President Christine Lagarde Blocked Binance’s EU MiCA License, Says WSJ
The ECB chief privately pressed Greek leaders to stop Binance’s bid, citing concerns that a MiCA passport could expand dollar stablecoin use in Europe.
- On Friday, September 18, 2026, reports revealed that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde personally pressed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to block Binance's regulatory application.
- The intervention derailed Binance's attempt to secure a European Union-wide license through Greece, which would have granted the exchange operating rights across the bloc under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation.
- Lagarde feared the exchange could accelerate adoption of U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins, undermining the European Central Bank's digital euro project and regional monetary sovereignty, concerns she outlined in a May speech.
- Binance withdrew its Greek application in mid-June before a formal rejection, though Gillian Lynch, the company's head of Europe, stated the exchange remains committed to seeking MiCA authorization.
- European Securities and Markets Authority officials privately advised national regulators to reject Binance's applications, citing past compliance violations, even as the exchange maintains limited European access through offshore arrangements.
34 Articles
34 Articles
The head of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, personally prevented Binance from obtaining a license from the European Union, writes The Wall Street Journal
The head of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, personally prevented Binance from obtaining a license from the European Union, writes The Wall Street Journal. The license was almost approved in Greece, but Lagarde asked Athens not to approve...
Binance's attempt to establish itself in Greece was seen by the company as a strategic gateway to the European market - Lagarde personally intervened to block the cryptocurrency exchange, WSJ reports
Binance brushes off Lagarde MiCA speculation, reaffirms Europe commitment
Binance declined to address reports of ECB intervention in its Greek MiCA bid, saying it remains committed to securing authorization in Europe. Binance declined to address a report that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde intervened in its failed Greek crypto license bid and said it continues seeking authorization under the European Union’s Markets in […]
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