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MiCA in France — 2026 Implementation Guide

How MiCA (Regulation (EU) 2023/1114) applies in France: the national competent authority (AMF jointly with ACPR (Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution)), transitional window, national-tax interplay, and the MiCA-licensed providers ChainChoice recommends for France-resident users.

Written and reviewed by Founder
Published
Audit receipt#cc-MICA-COUNTRY-FRANCE-a1dd36a1 Methodology §3
Direct answer

How does MiCA apply in France in 2026?

AMF is the national MiCA authority for France. The transitional window for previously-licensed CASPs closes 2026-06-30. National tax framework: PFU — Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique. Top MiCA-licensed providers for France retail: Kraken, Coinbase, Bitvavo.

Source:Audit receipt #cc-MICA-COUNTRY-FRANCE-a1dd36a1 Methodology

National Competent Authority: AMF

Autorité des marchés financiers
AMF is the French national competent authority for MiCA, supervising conduct of business and consumer protection. ACPR (Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution) jointly supervises prudential aspects. France operated under the PSAN registration regime before MiCA.

Transitional window

2026-06-30
End of transition
France kept MiCA's full 18-month transitional period: providers registered as PSAN (Prestataire de Services sur Actifs Numériques) could continue until 30 June 2026, longer than Germany's 12 months (ESMA's list of grandfathering periods).

Key dates

2024-12-30
MiCA full application across France; the EU Travel Rule applies to crypto-asset transfers
2025-05-23
DEBLOCK SAS: the first French MiCA authorisation in ESMA's interim register
2026-06-30
French transitional period ends for PSAN-registered providers (18 months)

France crypto tax framework

MiCA harmonises CASP licensing; tax remains country-specific. This is how Francetaxes crypto holdings and dispositions in 2026, interacting with the EU-wide MiCA + DAC8 framework.

PFU — Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique
Occasional crypto sales by individuals are taxed at the 30% flat-rate PFU (12.8% income tax + 17.2% social contributions). Active traders may be reclassified to BIC (Bénéfices Industriels et Commerciaux) progressive rates at the trader's marginal rate. The reclassification threshold depends on trading frequency, volume, and how the activity resembles a professional operation.
Rate: 30% flat (PFU) for occasional sales; progressive rates if reclassified to BIC
Holding exemption: No holding-period exemption (unlike Germany)
Form: Formulaire 2086 (annexe Plus-values), reported on revenu form 2042

Recommended MiCA-licensed providers for France retail

3 MiCA-licensed CASPs for France-resident users, selected for this guide on audience match, tax-workflow compatibility, language support and regulatory clarity, and listed in the order of the published exchange ranking. Affiliate economics play no part in either.

Coinbase
MiCA-licensed via the CSSF (Coinbase Luxembourg S.A.), EU-passported into France. Strong UX for French first-time buyers.
Bitvavo
MiCA-licensed via the AFM (Netherlands). Low-fee trading for French active traders.
Kraken
MiCA-licensed via Central Bank of Ireland. Strong French-language support and pro-trading features popular with French retail.

FAQs for MiCA in France

What was PSAN and how does it relate to MiCA?
PSAN (Prestataire de Services sur Actifs Numériques) was France's pre-MiCA registration regime for crypto-asset service providers. PSAN-registered firms had until 31 December 2025 to convert to MiCA authorisation. After that date, only MiCA-licensed CASPs can lawfully serve French retail users.
How is crypto taxed in France differently from Germany?
France applies the 30% flat-rate PFU to occasional crypto sales (12.8% income tax + 17.2% social contributions) with no holding-period exemption. Germany applies marginal income-tax rates within 12 months and zero tax after 12 months of holding. The French regime is simpler but eliminates the German "hodler" advantage.
What's the difference between PFU and BIC for crypto?
PFU (30% flat) applies to "occasional" sales. BIC (progressive rates at the trader's marginal rate) applies if AMF/tax authorities reclassify the activity as a professional operation. The reclassification depends on trading frequency, volume, technical infrastructure, and other professional-trader-like indicators. High-frequency traders should expect BIC scrutiny.

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