MiCA Redefines Crypto Firms' Website Design as Solicitation
The MiCA regulation has caused significant changes in the way crypto companies operate within the European Union. As of July 1, 2026, firms without CASP authorisation are no longer allowed to serve EU clients. This change affects around 1,350 VASPs that previously provided services under national regimes.
According to ESMA's annex, a list of circumstances suggests a firm is soliciting EU clients. These include website design and SEO decisions such as using country-specific top-level domains or subdirectories, building geo-targeted links, and creating content in official EU languages.
Serhii Barinov, a lawyer at SBLC, notes that the regulator's focus has shifted from appearance to functionality. 'The regulator assesses the functional behaviour of the product, not its appearance,' he says.