Cryptocurrency exchange Binance is preparing to close accounts belonging to some customers in European countries by December 31, 2026, following regulatory changes under the European Union’s cryptocurrency framework.
The affected customers have reportedly received emails instructing them to withdraw their remaining digital assets before the closure deadline.
Users in France, Spain, Italy and Poland have reported receiving account closure notifications. Binance has confirmed that affected accounts will be closed from December 31 as part of a gradual process to restrict certain services.
The exchange has already blocked new deposits for affected accounts. However, customers can continue withdrawing their existing cryptocurrency and traditional currency balances during the transition period.
The development comes as cryptocurrency platforms face stricter licensing requirements under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.
Binance Sets December 31 Deadline for Affected Accounts
Binance has informed affected customers that their accounts will stop operating from December 31, 2026.
A company spokesperson confirmed the closure timeline to CoinDesk, describing the process as a managed transition following the end of the MiCA regulatory period.
Customers who have received the notifications can still access their existing balances and withdraw their funds.
However, new deposits are no longer available on the affected accounts.
The exchange has also advised users to review their individual notifications to understand the applicable withdrawal arrangements and deadlines.
Binance has maintained that customers’ assets remain accessible during the transition and that the process does not involve an immediate freezing of funds.
Monthly Binance Maintenance Fees to Begin November 29
Customers who leave cryptocurrency in affected accounts could face additional charges beginning November 29, 2026.
According to the reported customer notifications, Binance will calculate a monthly maintenance fee based on the remaining cryptocurrency balance.
The charge will be either 0.025% of the remaining holdings or 10 USDC, whichever amount is higher.
The first deduction is expected within three days after November 29. A further deduction may take place after December 24.
The exchange will initially collect the charges from available USDC balances. If there is insufficient USDC, other cryptocurrency holdings may be used.
Customers whose remaining assets are worth less than the applicable fee could lose their entire balance through the deductions.
Withdrawing all remaining assets before the first calculation date may help affected customers avoid these additional charges, although standard withdrawal or network fees may still apply.
Which Countries Are Affected by Binance Account Closures?
Customer reports indicate that the account closure notices have reached users in four European countries.
The reported locations include:
- France: Customers have received notices about the closure of Binance accounts and the withdrawal arrangements.
- Spain: Some account holders have reported receiving similar communications.
- Italy: Users have also reported notifications concerning the upcoming restrictions.
- Poland: Customers have reported receiving account closure warnings.
These reports concern specific affected accounts rather than every cryptocurrency user in these countries.
Binance has not published a complete country-by-country list of affected customers or disclosed how many accounts will be closed.
Earlier regulatory restrictions also affected services in other European markets, but those developments should not automatically be treated as confirmation that the same December closure arrangements apply everywhere.
Why Is Binance Closing Some European Accounts?
The account restrictions are linked to the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, commonly known as MiCA.
The framework introduces common regulatory requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital asset service providers operating across the European Union.
Under the new arrangements, companies must obtain the appropriate regulatory authorisation from an EU member state to provide covered services across the bloc.
Binance previously applied for a MiCA licence in Greece but withdrew its application in June 2026.
The company subsequently announced that it intended to pursue authorisation in another European Union member state.
In an official statement published on June 24, Binance said some customers could be affected depending on their country and account status. It also said affected users would receive direct communications explaining the available options and required actions.
The latest account closures represent another stage in the exchange’s efforts to adjust its European operations to the changing regulatory environment.
What Happens to Cryptocurrency Left in Binance Accounts?
Customers who fail to withdraw their assets before the final deadline could face additional complications.
According to the reported notifications, accounts retaining cryptocurrency after December 31 may be treated as inactive under Binance’s applicable terms.
The remaining assets could subsequently be converted or transferred under the exchange’s procedures.
This makes it important for affected users to review their account balances and withdrawal instructions before the deadline.
Customers should also check supported blockchain networks and carefully verify wallet addresses before transferring cryptocurrency to another platform or personal wallet.
What Should Binance Users Do Before the Deadline?
Customers who receive an official closure notification should check their email and Binance account messages for specific instructions.
They should review the following details:
- Whether their account is included in the closure arrangements.
- Whether new deposits have been disabled.
- The final date for withdrawing cryptocurrency and fiat balances.
- The maintenance charges applicable to their remaining holdings.
- The withdrawal methods and supported networks available to them.
Users should only follow instructions provided through official Binance communication channels.
They should avoid suspicious emails, unofficial withdrawal links and individuals claiming they can recover or transfer funds on their behalf.
Will Binance Account Closures Affect Pakistani Users?
The reported December 31 closures concern certain European customer accounts and do not establish a general shutdown of Binance services in Pakistan.
Pakistani users should not assume their accounts are affected simply because the exchange is introducing restrictions in parts of Europe.
However, people living in Europe or holding accounts registered under affected European arrangements should check their official account notifications.
Binance has stated that its long-term commitment to the European market remains unchanged while it continues pursuing regulatory authorisation.
In other news read more about: Binance Claims 95% of Stolen Assets Recovered as Withdrawals Resume Today
For now, the most important dates for affected customers are November 29, when maintenance charges are scheduled to begin, and December 31, 2026, when the affected accounts are due to close.
