Austria Hands Down First MiCA Penalty to Bitpanda

The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has issued its first penalty under the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework, fining Bitpanda 70,000 euros ($80,304) for missing a whitepaper deadline.

The fine marks the start of an era of oversight for the crypto industry in the EU, as MiCA regulation shifts from mere supervision to active enforcement. According to FMA, Bitpanda failed to comply with MiCA Article 8 by not notifying the institution of a cryptocurrency whitepaper at least 20 days before its admission to trading.

The regulator also highlighted that no special treatment would be given to Bitpanda, stressing that MiCA is now an actively enforced framework. Markus Miller from Miller Protect AG criticized the sanction, stating it raises 'uncomfortable questions' about Bitpanda's claims to regulatory seriousness and its role.