Italy’s Crypto Countdown: December 30, 2025, Is The Final Deadline For MiCA Applications

The clock is officially ticking for crypto firms operating in Italy. The country has set a hard deadline of December 30, 2025, for companies to submit their applications under the EU's landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. Miss it, and the door slams shut.

The Compliance Sprint Begins

This isn't a suggestion—it's a final call. The date marks the end of a transition period, giving firms just over a year to align their operations with some of the strictest regulatory frameworks in the world. Think capital requirements, custody rules, and transparency mandates that would make a traditional banker blush.

For the industry, it's a brutal ultimatum: adapt or exit the Italian market. The regulation promises legitimacy but demands conformity, forcing a sector built on disruption to play by a very old rulebook. It's the financial equivalent of asking a graffiti artist to paint by numbers.

The regulatory squeeze is on. Firms now face a marathon of legal reviews and operational overhauls, all against a ticking clock. The promise of a 'regulated crypto market' comes with a price—paperwork, patience, and a profound shift in philosophy. For an industry that moves at the speed of a meme coin, bureaucracy just hit the gas.

TLDR

• Crypto firms must apply for MiCA authorization in Italy or leave by December 30, 2025.
• VASPs applying by the deadline can operate until approval or June 30, 2026.
• Firms not applying must return assets and terminate contracts by December 30.
• CONSOB urges investors to confirm their provider’s MiCA compliance status.

Italy’s financial markets regulator, CONSOB, has confirmed a firm deadline of December 30, 2025, for VIRTUAL asset service providers (VASPs) to comply with the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). Crypto service providers must either apply for MiCA authorization or leave the Italian market. This move affects all crypto platforms operating under Italy’s current framework and the investors using them.

According to the official announcement, VASPs that do not submit a MiCA application by the deadline will be required to stop operations in Italy and return all client assets.

Deadline Requirements for Crypto Service Providers

Under current Italian rules, VASPs are allowed to operate if registered with the Organismo Agenti e Mediatori (OAM). However, this temporary regime ends on December 30, 2025. After this date, only platforms authorized as crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs) under MiCA or those passporting from another EU member state may continue operating in the country.

CONSOB stated, “VASPs that intend to continue operations must apply for CASP status in Italy or another EU country before December 30, 2025.” Those who meet the deadline can keep operating temporarily until the earlier of three events: approval, rejection, or June 30, 2026.

Firms failing to apply must cease services in Italy, terminate all contracts, and return client funds. CONSOB has instructed such firms to post notices on their websites and inform clients directly about their exit or transition plans.

Investor Guidance and Platform Transparency

In a section labeled “warnings for investors,” CONSOB urged retail clients to verify whether their chosen platform has communicated plans to comply with MiCA. If not, investors should contact the provider for clarification or request withdrawal of funds.

CONSOB emphasized that after December 30, some platforms may no longer be authorized to operate. Therefore, investors should check the OAM register or the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) database to confirm whether their provider is authorized under MiCA.

The regulator advised users to act with “maximum attention” during this transition. It also reminded platforms that ongoing communication with clients is mandatory, regardless of whether they are seeking MiCA authorization or preparing to exit the market.

Transition Measures and EU Context

The MiCA regulation, adopted by the European Union, is being implemented across all member states. It introduces unified rules for crypto trading, custody, and related services. Each country may define its transition period, and Italy has now fixed its national end date.

CONSOB’s update aligns with ESMA’s recent communication on MiCA implementation across the EU. ESMA stated that firms operating under national regimes are not automatically MiCA-authorized and must apply under the new system. The Italian regulator sent warnings in October 2025 to VASPs still listed with OAM but without MiCA authorization, urging immediate action.

The Italian government used MiCA’s flexibility to allow a transitional period ending June 30, 2026, only for those who apply by December 30. Once this grace period expires, unlicensed firms will be barred from offering crypto services in Italy.