MiCA Scammers Exploit Exchange Closures to Steal Crypto Assets

The European Union's (EU) transition deadline for MiCA has led to a surge in impersonation scams targeting EU crypto users. Criminals are copying legitimate closure and migration notices from exchanges, regulators, and other financial authorities to trick users into transferring their assets to fake websites, support channels, or wallet addresses.

According to the Financial Times, several EU watchdogs have seen an increase in impersonation scams since the MiCA deadline on July 1, 2026. France's Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) reported cases where criminals posed as AMF representatives and directed users to transfer assets through fake websites.

ESMA has also reported that criminals are misusing its identity and logo through falsified documents and other fraudulent communications. Real platform closures and account changes make unfamiliar instructions appear more credible.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, users should verify the legal entity, communication channel, and requested action before moving funds. A legitimate provider or regulator does not need a seed phrase or private key to verify an account, and users should not disclose authentication codes, passwords, or wallet recovery information.