Lithuania Declares War on Unlicensed Crypto Firms as MiCA Enforcement Begins
Lithuania is preparing for one of its toughest crypto enforcement actions yet, signaling a clear shift from regulatory tolerance to strict oversight. Starting January 1, 2026, crypto firms operating without a valid MiCA license will be treated as illegal, exposing hundreds of companies to fines, website blocks, and even criminal liability.
The move places Lithuania at the forefront of Europe’s push to turn MiCA from a framework on paper into active enforcement.
Deadline Set as Transition Period Ends
Lithuania’s central bank, Lietuvos Bankas, has confirmed that the transition period for crypto service providers expires on December 31. From that point onward, any exchange, wallet provider, or crypto platform serving users without MiCA…
