EU Banks Double MiCA Presence as Crypto Custody Expands
Banks have doubled their presence on the EU’s MiCA register, rising from about 40 institutions on 26 June to nearly 80 on 16 September. Their share of registered crypto-asset service providers increased from roughly 16% to almost 23%.
The total MiCA register grew from 243 to 349 providers. Non-bank firms still dominate, rising from about 203 to 269 entries, but their market share declined as banks entered the regulated crypto market more quickly.
Germany drove much of the growth. New entries included Volksbank, Raiffeisenbank and VR Bank institutions, alongside Deutsche Bank. Deutsche Bank plans to provide crypto custody services to European institutional and corporate clients and expects MiCA approval in October.
Under MiCA Article 60, banks can enter the market through a notification procedure instead of seeking full crypto-asset service provider authorisation under Article 62. They must notify their home regulator at least 40 working days before launching services and provide information on governance, risk management, cybersecurity and client-asset protection.
For crypto traders, the expanding MiCA register points to stronger institutional participation, improved custody infrastructure and potentially deeper liquidity. However, the development does not directly alter token fundamentals or guarantee immediate price gains. The MiCA register may also lag behind recent regulatory notifications.
Neutral
The news is structurally positive for the crypto market but neutral for immediate token prices. In the short term, the doubling of banks on the MiCA register is unlikely to create a direct trading catalyst because no specific cryptocurrency, capital inflow or change in token fundamentals was announced. Traders may interpret the development as a sign of growing regulatory confidence, but price reactions are likely to be limited unless it is followed by measurable demand or higher trading volumes.
Over the longer term, bank participation could support institutional adoption through regulated custody, stronger compliance infrastructure and potentially deeper liquidity. These factors may improve market stability and reduce barriers for institutional investors. However, the benefits will develop gradually, and regulatory approval does not guarantee fund inflows or gains for individual tokens. The overall expected price impact therefore remains neutral.