September 18, 2026 — Binance declined to address WSJ reporting that ECB President Christine Lagarde intervened in its failed Greek MiCA license bid, saying it remains committed to EU MiCA authorization.
WSJ reported an HCMC vice chair told Binance that Lagarde asked Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis not to approve the application. Greek officials had informed ESMA in early June of intent to approve.
Binance applied in Greece January 2026, withdrew June 2026, and said it would seek authorization in another EU jurisdiction before the July 1 MiCA deadline.