Cryptocurrency in France: Legal Status and Regulatory Framework

Cryptocurrency is legal in France and operates within a structured regulatory environment. The French government, through the PACTE law enacted in May 2019, introduced a framework for digital asset service providers (DASPs), requiring them to register with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) before offering services such as custody, exchange, or trading of digital assets. This registration ensures compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations, safeguarding the integrity of the financial system.

In addition to national regulations, France aligns with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, adopted by the European Parliament. MiCA establishes a harmonized legal framework for crypto-assets across EU member states, introducing mandatory licensing for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) and setting standards for consumer protection and market integrity. This regulation aims to foster innovation while ensuring a secure environment for investors.

The MiCA regulation requires mandatory licensing for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs), with requirements similar to those of the optional licensing regime for DASPs under France’s current framework (1).

The AMF actively monitors and enforces compliance within the crypto sector. Platforms operating without proper registration are deemed illegal, and the AMF maintains a blacklist of such entities to inform and protect investors. For instance, the AMF has issued warnings against unregistered platforms like BYBIT and BITGET, emphasizing the importance of verifying a platform's registration status before engaging in any transactions.

Source:
(1) Autorité des Marchés Financiers
(2) Autorité des Marchés Financiers

Last updated: 08-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.