Italian fintech Conio has secured regulatory approval under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, marking another significant step in Italy’s rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.
According to a Reuters report, the company, backed by Poste Italiane and Banca Generali, announced that it has received authorization to operate as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) in Italy. The approval allows Conio to provide regulated crypto custody, transfer, and placement services throughout the European Union under the bloc’s newly harmonized digital asset rules.
The authorization positions Conio among a growing group of firms seeking to establish a compliant presence in Europe as MiCA regulations move into full effect.
Approval granted by Italian regulators
Conio’s authorization was granted following a regulatory review conducted jointly by Italy’s securities regulator Consob and the Bank of Italy. The approval enables the company to offer digital asset services under a framework designed to improve investor protection, market transparency, and operational standards across the European crypto sector.
As regulators continue implementing MiCA across member states, firms that secure authorization are expected to gain a competitive advantage as institutional demand for regulated digital asset services continues to grow.
Conio CEO Christian Miccoli said, “The license supports our ambition to become a strategic partner for integrating digital assets into regulated investment portfolios,” Miccoli said. He added that Conio intends to expand its participation in blockchain infrastructure and tokenization projects as financial institutions increasingly explore digital asset integration.
MiCA deadline drives industry compliance
The approval comes just weeks before the expiration of MiCA’s transitional regime.
Beginning July 1, 2026, crypto companies operating in the European Union without the necessary authorization will no longer be permitted to provide regulated crypto services.
The deadline has accelerated licensing efforts across Europe as exchanges, custodians, brokers, fintech firms, and traditional financial institutions race to secure regulatory approval before transition periods conclude.
Industry participants view the deadline as one of the most significant milestones in Europe’s crypto regulatory evolution, with the potential to reshape the competitive landscape across the sector.
Conio said it intends to leverage the new authorization to expand its services beyond retail crypto users.
The company plans to provide white-label digital asset infrastructure for banks and fintech firms while also supporting corporate and institutional clients exploring tokenization and blockchain-based financial services.
The strategy reflects growing demand among traditional financial institutions seeking regulated access to digital assets without developing proprietary crypto infrastructure.
Italy emerges as a key MiCA market
Conio’s approval comes amid broader momentum in Italy’s regulated crypto sector.
In May, Banca Sella became Italy’s first bank to secure authorization under the MiCA framework, marking a major milestone for the integration of digital assets into the country’s traditional financial system.
The bank announced plans to launch digital asset custody and transfer services by the end of 2026, becoming one of the first regulated banking institutions in Europe to directly offer crypto services under MiCA.
Banca Sella is also a member of the Qivalis consortium, a group of 37 banks working to develop a MiCA-compliant euro-denominated stablecoin. The initiative highlights increasing institutional interest in tokenized financial infrastructure and regulated digital payment solutions across Europe.
Together, the developments suggest Italy is emerging as one of the continent’s most active jurisdictions for regulated crypto adoption.
Europe pushes ahead with crypto regulation
The latest approval underscores Europe’s continued effort to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. While policymakers in other major jurisdictions continue debating crypto oversight, the European Union has moved forward with a licensing-based model aimed at bringing crypto firms into the regulated financial system.
For companies such as Conio, early compliance under MiCA provides a pathway to expand across the European market while benefiting from growing institutional adoption and increasing demand for regulated crypto services.
As the MiCA transition period draws to a close, Italy’s recent approvals signal that both fintech firms and traditional banks are positioning themselves for the next phase of Europe’s regulated digital asset economy.
Also read: BitGo Europe Launches MiCA-Compliant Crypto-as-a-Service Platform in EU
