Italy’s financial regulator, CONSOB, has announced a strict new timeline that will reshape how crypto companies operate within the country. Under the new rules, all virtual-asset service providers currently active in Italy must fully comply with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework by December 30, 2025. Any platform that fails to meet the new requirements must leave the Italian market altogether.
MiCA introduces a unified licensing system for crypto-asset service providers, known as CASPs, across all EU member states. Italy has now made it clear that only companies holding this authorization — whether granted locally or passported from another EU nation — will be allowed to serve customers in the country starting at the end of December.
Companies that hope to remain in the market must submit their CASP application before the deadline. If they do so, they will be permitted to continue operating temporarily while their application undergoes regulatory review. However, this grace period is not indefinite. It will automatically expire by June 30, 2026, regardless of whether the application has been fully processed.
Italy sets hard stop for MiCA authorization. Source: CONSOB
Crypto service providers that choose not to apply face a strict exit process. CONSOB requires these firms to shut down their activities in Italy, close all existing customer relationships, and return all user funds and crypto-assets. The regulator emphasizes that clients must receive their assets back according to their instructions, leaving no room for delays or disputes.
In addition to setting these deadlines, CONSOB issued a strong warning to Italian retail investors. The regulator urged users to verify whether their chosen crypto platforms have publicly communicated their MiCA compliance plans. If a platform has not explained how it will adapt to the new rules, customers are encouraged to seek clarification or even withdraw their assets to avoid potential service disruptions.
Overall, the announcement signals Italy’s determination to enforce a high regulatory standard for digital-asset services. The transition also marks one of the most significant national implementations of the MiCA framework so far, placing pressure on crypto platforms to modernize their compliance systems or risk losing access to one of Europe’s largest markets.
Source: Cointelegraph Edited by Sonarx