French Regulators Expand AML Oversight on Crypto Exchanges Including Binance

French regulators have launched an expanded crackdown on money laundering across the cryptocurrency sector, extending their oversight to major platforms including Binance. The move marks a significant escalation in France’s efforts to align its financial system with upcoming European Union standards under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.

The Prudential Supervision and Reanswer Authority (ACPR), in coordination with the Financial Markets Authority (AMF), has initiated broader anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) checks on crypto firms registered in France. The regulators’ findings revealed gaps in compliance across several digital asset platforms, prompting new directives for platforms such as Binance to strengthen internal controls, improve IT infrastructure, and expand dedicated compliance teams. Firms that fail to meet these requirements within the given timeline risk facing enforcement actions or exclusion from future MiCA authorization.

Binance under intensified scrutiny

The move comes as French authorities continue an ongoing investigation into Binance over alleged money-laundering and tax offenses linked to its operations between 2019 and 2024. Despite being one of the first global platforms to secure registration in France as a digital asset service provider (DASP) in 2022, Binance has faced repeated warnings to enhance transparency and improve its compliance architecture.

Binance, which operates its European headquarters in Paris, has stated that it is fully cooperating with regulators and remains committed to maintaining compliance with evolving EU regulations. The company emphasized that France remains a key market in its European strategy and that it is actively upgrading its systems to meet MiCA’s stringent requirements.

The latest round of inspections forms part of France’s broader effort to prepare for MiCA, the European Union’s comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets set to take effect by late 2025. Under the updated AMF guidelines, all registered crypto asset service providers must comply with stricter operational, security, and reporting standards by December 30, 2025. Companies failing to obtain full MiCA authorization by July 1, 2026, risk losing their ability to operate legally within the EU.

The AMF has positioned these reforms as essential to protecting investors, improving transparency, and ensuring that the French market upholds international AML standards. Regulators also aim to establish France as a leading jurisdiction for compliant crypto businesses by providing clear, enforceable pathways to authorization.

Strengthening France’s position as a regulatory leader

By expanding AML enforcement and aligning with EU rules, France is signaling its intent to become a central hub for regulated digital asset activity in Europe. The country’s proactive approach stands in contrast to jurisdictions that have taken a sluggisher path to implementing MiCA requirements.

Industry analysts suggest that this tightening of regulatory oversight may initially challenge smaller platforms but will ultimately raise industry standards and improve investor confidence. As MiCA’s enforcement deadline approaches, the outcome of France’s AML inspections will likely serve as a model for other EU nations.