EU regulators have warned crypto users about growing impersonation scams after the MiCA transition ended on July 1, 2026. Fraudsters across Europe are posing as regulators and crypto firms to target customers of platforms without MiCA approval. Criminals use fake emails, websites and documents to make their messages look genuine.
The scams are growing as affected crypto users search for new regulated platforms after the MiCA deadline. Fraudsters contact these customers and push them to move funds or complete urgent checks. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has also warned about fake messages using its name and branding.
ESMA shared a fraud alert on its official LinkedIn account, saying, “ESMA does not request personal data or payments through unsolicited emails.”
The regulator also warned that scammers may use its logo, name, fake documents and websites to gain trust. The official ESMA post urged people to verify suspicious messages before taking action.
France’s financial regulator AMF has reported similar cases involving criminals pretending to be its staff. These scammers directed customers toward fake websites and asked them to transfer crypto assets.
ESMA’s register showed 323 authorized crypto firms by late July, while more than 1,700 unlicensed firms could face closure or relocation. This major platform shift gives criminals more chances to target confused customers.
Crypto users should check a provider’s legal name through the official ESMA register before transferring funds. Users should also avoid links from unexpected emails, calls or social media messages.
Regulators warn that genuine agencies will not ask for seed phrases, private keys, passwords or payments through unsolicited messages. The MiCA transition aims to improve crypto market rules, while scammers are exploiting the confusion around those changes.
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