BNY Mellon's European subsidiary has been added to the European Securities and Markets Authority's (ESMA) register of crypto-asset service providers (CASPs), marking one of the first entries by a major traditional bank under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. The update, ESMA's third since the MiCA compliance deadline, includes 15 new CASPs in total — a mix of established financial institutions and dedicated crypto platforms.
ESMA's Third Post-Deadline Update
ESMA published the latest batch of registered CASPs on July 27, 2026, adding firms that have successfully navigated the bloc's licensing process. The list now covers a broader range of entities than earlier updates, which were dominated by crypto-native exchanges and wallet providers. This round includes BNY Mellon's European arm, alongside several other banks and crypto platforms that the regulator did not name individually in its public notice. The update brings the total number of registered CASPs under MiCA to over 60 since the regime took full effect earlier this year.
BNY Mellon's Entry
BNY Mellon, one of the world's largest custodian banks, has been expanding its digital-asset services for years. Its European subsidiary's registration means it can now offer crypto custody, trading, and related services to institutional clients across the EU under a single regulatory framework. The move is a signal that traditional finance is willing to operate within MiCA's rules, which require strict capital, governance, and consumer-protection standards. It's not the first bank to join — a handful of other European lenders had already registered — but BNY Mellon's global footprint gives the entry extra weight.
What the Register Means for the Market
MiCA's register is a public list of all firms legally allowed to provide crypto services in the EU. Being on it is mandatory for any company that wants to serve EU customers after the transition period ended. The inclusion of a bank like BNY Mellon suggests that the compliance burden, while heavy, isn't scaring off large institutions. For crypto-native firms, the update also shows that ESMA is processing applications at a steady clip — 15 new names in one batch is the largest single addition so far. The regulator has said it will continue to update the register as more firms complete the process.
The next deadline for firms still operating under national transitional regimes is unclear, but ESMA has signaled it expects most remaining applicants to be processed by the end of 2026. For now, the July 27 update gives the market a clearer picture of who's playing by the new rules — and who's still waiting.
