Binance to Close French User Accounts on Dec. 31 Following MiCA Setbacks

Binance France has informed its local clientele that it will terminate all French user accounts on Dec. 31, 2026, marking a full exit from the jurisdiction ¹. The firm cited an orderly cessation of activities on French territory after failing to secure authorization under the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, which took mandatory effect on June 30 ¹. Incoming deposits to the platform are now disabled ¹.

Users who maintain balances past Nov. 29, 2026, will face monthly account-maintenance charges ¹. Binance stated that the fee will equal either 0.025% of the portfolio balance or 10 $USDC, whichever amount is greater ¹. The exchange plans to debit the initial assessment within three days following Nov. 29, followed by a second charge after Dec. 24 ¹. Levies will be collected in available USDC or deducted from other digital assets held in the account, with fees capped at the remaining total balance if it falls below the minimum requirement ¹. Accounts emptied before Nov. 29 will avoid these assessments ¹.

Unclaimed Assets Face Liquidation

The move caps a series of progressive service restrictions across European jurisdictions as Binance adapts to MiCA requirements ¹. Accounts that retain crypto assets beyond the Dec. 31 closure deadline will be reclassified as inactive under Binance's terms of service ¹. According to the notification, the exchange may convert, transfer, or otherwise process any digital holdings that remain unclaimed after the terminal date ¹.

The orderly wind-down follows broader operational hurdles for the company, including past infrastructure stress such as when Binance paused withdrawals in earlier incidents. At the time of writing, $BTC traded at $75,921, while broader crypto markets recorded a Fear & Greed index reading of 28.