Italy Sets MiCA Deadline: VASPs Must Comply or Exit by Dec. 30

In a decisive move, Italy’s Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB) has set a firm timetable for the application of the EU’s comprehensive MiCA regulation within its borders. The announcement, made in a news release, establishes December 30 as the final day for VASPs registered with the national Organismo Agenti e Mediatori (OAM) to operate under the existing Italian regime. This cutoff date creates an unambiguous compliance horizon for the industry, forcing a clear choice: seek formal authorization under MiCA or prepare an exit from the Italian market.

The directive directly impacts the operational landscape for all virtual asset service providers currently leveraging Italy’s transitional framework. CONSOB’s warning leaves no room for ambiguity—platforms failing to obtain a MiCA license by the year-end deadline will no longer be permitted to serve Italian clients. This enforcement timeline positions Italy among the first European Union member states to actively implement the operational requirements of the landmark MiCA regulation, potentially setting a procedural benchmark for others to follow.

For VASPs, the announcement triggers a critical period of strategic decision-making and administrative action. Companies must now navigate the authorization process, which involves demonstrating compliance with MiCA’s stringent requirements on governance, consumer protection, and financial stability. The transition from the OAM registry to a full MiCA authorization represents a significant regulatory upgrade, demanding substantial resources and operational adjustments from crypto service providers.

CONSOB’s statement carries an equally important message for retail investors. The regulator explicitly urges investors to proactively check their service providers’ compliance plans. This advisory is a protective measure, aiming to shield consumers from potential disruption should their chosen platform fail to meet the deadline and be forced to halt operations. Investors are now tasked with verifying the regulatory standing of their VASPs, a step that underscores the shifting dynamics toward greater accountability and transparency in the crypto market under the new European Union framework.

This enforcement action is not an isolated national policy but a deliberate step to integrate Italy’s crypto market into the broader, harmonized regulatory landscape envisioned by MiCA. By setting a clear and imminent deadline, CONSOB is ensuring a swift transition from a patchwork of national rules to a unified European standard. The move aims to eliminate regulatory arbitrage, enhance market integrity, and provide a consistent level of investor protection across the EU’s single market.

The proactive stance taken by Italy’s securities regulator signals a maturing approach to digital asset oversight. It moves beyond mere registration to a full licensing regime that demands higher operational standards from VASPs. This transition is expected to foster greater institutional confidence and could catalyze more structured growth within the Italian crypto sector, albeit within a much more rigorously defined regulatory perimeter established by the European Union’s overarching MiCA regulation.