WSJ Reports ECB Chief Lagarde Allegedly Interfered in Binance's MiCA License Approval

ECB President Christine Lagarde is alleged to have intervened in an attempt to block Binance's MiCA license application from Greece, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The WSJ cited a Greek capital markets authority official who said Lagarde reportedly requested Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis not approve the license. The report noted concerns over Binance's past regulatory compliance issues, its growing influence in dollar-stablecoin markets, and worries about digital euro initiatives.

Binance withdrew its MiCA application to Greece's capital markets authority on June 24 and announced it would pursue authorization through other EU member states. While MiCA licensing authority rests with individual national regulators rather than the ECB directly, neither the ECB nor Greek authorities have publicly confirmed or denied the alleged intervention.