The European Securities and Markets Authority's latest update expands the list of licensed crypto-asset service providers under the bloc's new framework.
The European Securities and Markets Authority, or ESMA, has updated its public register of firms authorized under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation. The latest addition includes BingX, a crypto derivatives and spot trading exchange, and YouHodler, a crypto lending and savings platform. The update was reported by Cointelegraph and crypto.news on October 19, 2026.
MiCA is the European Union's comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto-asset service providers. It took effect in stages starting in 2024. The regulation requires exchanges, custodians, lenders and other crypto firms to obtain authorization from a national regulator in an EU member state. Once authorized, firms can passport their license across the entire bloc. ESMA maintains the central register that tracks which companies hold valid authorization.
Inclusion in the register signals that a firm has met the EU's licensing standards. These standards cover areas such as capital requirements, custody arrangements, consumer protection and operational resilience. For companies like BingX and YouHodler, registration allows them to legally offer services to EU customers without needing separate approvals in each member state.
crypto.news reported an additional detail not mentioned in the Cointelegraph report. It said Openbank, the digital banking arm of Spanish banking group Santander, also joined the MiCA register in the same update. If accurate, that would mark a notable step for a traditional bank entering the regulated crypto space through Europe's new licensing regime.
The discrepancy between the two reports centers on scope rather than the core fact. Both confirm BingX and YouHodler were added to the register. Only one names Openbank as part of the same update. Readers should treat the Openbank detail as reported by crypto.news specifically, pending further confirmation.
MiCA registration has become a closely watched indicator of institutional and retail platform legitimacy in Europe. Since the regulation's rollout, dozens of crypto firms have sought authorization to continue operating legally within EU borders. Firms that fail to register risk losing access to European customers or facing enforcement action from national regulators.
The addition of established exchanges and lending platforms to the register reflects the ongoing maturation of MiCA's implementation. It also illustrates how both crypto-native firms and traditional financial institutions are adapting to the same compliance framework. As more companies complete the authorization process, the register is expected to grow further in the coming months.
Market Impact
Formal MiCA registration can influence how EU-based customers and institutional partners view a platform's regulatory standing. For BingX and YouHodler, the listing may support efforts to expand or retain their European user base under a clear legal framework.
If Santander's Openbank has indeed joined the register, that would add to a pattern of traditional banks moving into regulated crypto services. This could increase competition for crypto-native platforms while also lending broader credibility to the sector among mainstream financial consumers in the EU.
The latest ESMA update underscores the steady expansion of MiCA-licensed crypto firms across the European Union, with both digital-native platforms and traditional financial institutions seeking a foothold in the regulated market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ESMA MiCA register?
It is a public list maintained by the European Securities and Markets Authority of crypto-asset service providers authorized under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation.
Which companies were added in this update?
BingX and YouHodler were confirmed as new entries by both reports. crypto.news also reported that Santander's Openbank joined the register in the same update.
Why does MiCA registration matter for a crypto exchange?
Registration allows a firm to legally offer crypto services across all EU member states under a single authorization, known as passporting.
Does MiCA registration guarantee consumer protection?
Registration confirms a firm meets MiCA's licensing standards, which include capital, custody and operational requirements, but it does not eliminate all investment risk.
