🇫🇷 France vs 🇳🇱 Netherlands: crypto licensing compared
France and Netherlands take recognisably different routes to crypto authorisation. In France the route is the MiCA CASP authorisation (French 'agrement PSCA'); replaces the legacy PSAN regime (mandatory AML registration + optional licence). A single authorisation covers the 10 MiCA services. overseen by AMF (Autorite des marches financiers) grants and supervises the CASP authorisation; ACPR (Banque de France) gives binding assent on AML/CFT and prudential aspects via a joint examination team.; in Netherlands it is the MiCA CASP Authorisation (Crypto-Asset Service Provider), granted by AFM; DNB co-assesses fitness/propriety and AML for licence holders under Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) - lead conduct regulator and licensing authority; De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) supports with prudential/AML input. The two regimes differ on 5 of 9 tracked decision dimensions, including timeline to authorisation and local substance. The free columns below are open to everyone; the decision figures unlock with a pass, each one dated and sourced.
France: verified 2026-07-03 · Netherlands: verified 2026-07-02
| Dimension |
🇫🇷 France
partly open
Verified 2026-07-03
|
🇳🇱 Netherlands
partly open
Verified 2026-07-02
|
|---|---|---|
| Licence type | MiCA CASP authorisation (French 'agrement PSCA'); replaces the legacy PSAN regime (mandatory AML registration + optional licence). A single authorisation covers the 10 MiCA services. | MiCA CASP Authorisation (Crypto-Asset Service Provider), granted by AFM; DNB co-assesses fitness/propriety and AML for licence holders |
| Regulator | AMF (Autorite des marches financiers) grants and supervises the CASP authorisation; ACPR (Banque de France) gives binding assent on AML/CFT and prudential aspects via a joint examination team. | Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) - lead conduct regulator and licensing authority; De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) supports with prudential/AML input |
| Capital requirement | France capital requirement is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands capital requirement is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Timeline to authorisation | France timeline to authorisation is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands timeline to authorisation is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Local substance | France local substance is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands local substance is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Application cost | France application cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands application cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Ongoing cost | France ongoing cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands ongoing cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Passporting | France passporting is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands passporting is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| MiCA CASPs approved | France mica casps approved is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands mica casps approved is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Key restrictions | France key restrictions is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands key restrictions is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Recent changes | France used the full 18-month transition, ending 1 Jul 2026 (today). Deblock first CASP (May 2025), SG-Forge (Oct 2025); ~18 CASPs authorised by 28 May 2026. AMF adopted ESMA staff knowledge/competence guidelines (Mar 2026). | Netherlands became one of the highest-volume MiCA jurisdictions through H1 2026 as the 1 July 2026 EU-wide transitional deadline approached; notable authorisations include Bitvavo, Amdax, MoonPay, Finst, Fiat Republic, and Banxa (Oct 2025); dedicated 'ARI10' authorisation added Feb 2026 per one tracker |
| Difficulty rating | France difficulty rating is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands difficulty rating is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
The two regimes differ on 5 of 9 tracked decision dimensions, including timeline to authorisation and local substance. Unlock the pass to see each figure with its source and verification date.
What changed recently
🇫🇷 France (verified 2026-07-01): France used the full 18-month transition, ending 1 Jul 2026 (today). Deblock first CASP (May 2025), SG-Forge (Oct 2025); ~18 CASPs authorised by 28 May 2026. AMF adopted ESMA staff knowledge/competence guidelines (Mar 2026).
🇳🇱 Netherlands (verified 2026-07-02): Netherlands became one of the highest-volume MiCA jurisdictions through H1 2026 as the 1 July 2026 EU-wide transitional deadline approached; notable authorisations include Bitvavo, Amdax, MoonPay, Finst, Fiat Republic, and Banxa (Oct 2025); dedicated 'ARI10' authorisation added Feb 2026 per one tracker
Quick answers
Who regulates crypto licensing in France and Netherlands?
France: AMF (Autorite des marches financiers) grants and supervises the CASP authorisation; ACPR (Banque de France) gives binding assent on AML/CFT and prudential aspects via a joint examination team.. Netherlands: Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) - lead conduct regulator and licensing authority; De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) supports with prudential/AML input.
What licence do you need in France compared with Netherlands?
In France the authorisation route is MiCA CASP authorisation (French 'agrement PSCA'); replaces the legacy PSAN regime (mandatory AML registration + optional licence). A single authorisation covers the 10 MiCA services.; in Netherlands it is MiCA CASP Authorisation (Crypto-Asset Service Provider), granted by AFM; DNB co-assesses fitness/propriety and AML for licence holders. The comparison table on this page lines the two up dimension by dimension.
Where can I see the full France vs Netherlands comparison?
The interactive benchmark lets you pin either jurisdiction and add up to five peers; a Founder Pass or Pro subscription unlocks every gated figure with its source and verification date. This page stays free at /crypto/compare/france-vs-netherlands.
Informational only, not legal advice. Every open figure carries its own verification date; verify with qualified counsel before acting.