Coinbase and OKX Court Binance's EU Users with New Bonuses After MiCA License Issues
Coinbase and OKX introduce sign-up bonuses for new users in the EU after Binance announced it would suspend services due to not obtaining a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license. This development comes as Binance continues to pursue licensing in the EU but has withdrawn its application in Greece, according to CoinDesk.
In response to Binance's announcement that it will suspend certain services for EU users due to not securing a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license by July 1, Coinbase and OKX are aggressively pursuing these customers with attractive sign-up bonuses.
Coinbase, which has been MiCA-licensed since 2025, is offering a 5% transfer bonus to users in key European markets including Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Sweden, and the U.K. for funds transferred to its platform before July 13. CEO Brian Armstrong highlighted this offer on X, directing potential users to the company’s website for further details.
Similarly, OKX positions itself as a compliant alternative for European users with a significant welcome campaign that includes bonuses and deposit matching of up to 8% for eligible users within the European Economic Area (EEA). CEO Star Xu stated on X that MiCA implementation signifies a new era for crypto in Europe, indicating that OKX is prepared to offer a regulated platform for the long term.
This effort to attract Binance's users comes amid a challenging time for the latter, as they face restrictions on new registrations and service limitations after withdrawing their license application in Greece. A spokesperson from Binance confirmed that the company is still hopeful about securing a MiCA license in the near future: "Your assets remain safe and secure, and will remain accessible at all times," they asserted in communications with clients.
As deadline pressures mount, crypto firms must secure a MiCA license from at least one EU member state to operate across all 27 EU nations; otherwise, they must cease their EU activities. The push from Coinbase and OKX reflects a competitive landscape as firms navigate these regulatory challenges while vying for user trust and market share in the region.
Going forward, how Binance maneuvers in its licensing efforts and the impact of these promotional strategies from Coinbase and OKX will be essential to monitor within the evolving regulatory framework of the EU crypto market.
Summary based on original reporting by Olivier Acuna at CoinDesk, originally published Jun 27, 2026. SolanaWire does not republish source content.
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