France Compliance Report

Generated 2026-09-22

Comprehensive Framework

Regulatory Overview

Regulatory Status: Dedicated crypto/VA legislation, licensing regime, active enforcement
Key Regulator(s): AMF, ACPR
Risk Level: low
Primary Legislation: MiCA Regulation (EU) (2023), Loi PACTE, Ordinance No. 2016-1635 (December 2016): Added crypto platforms to AML obligatio, Ordinance No. 2017-1674 (effective December 8, 2017): Enabled blockchain registr, Act No. 2019-486, May 22, 2019, DAC8 implementation (Finance Bill 2025, effective January 1, 2026): Requires CAS
Travel Rule: Adopted — Threshold: Implemented
Tax Reporting: 30% flat tax (PFU) on crypto capital gains for individuals

Key Facts

aml PACTE Law (Loi PACTE, 2019): Introduced mandatory registration for DASPs (e.g., crypto exchanges, custodians, wallet services, crypto-to-crypto platforms) and imposed AML standards. EU Fifth AML Directive (5AMLD): Implemented in France in January 2020, requiring AML/CFT policies, CDD, and registration for all crypto firms serving French clients. Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA): Enhances transparency, security, and AML for crypto providers; DASPs must transition to CASP licensing with minimum capital (€125,000–€350,000) and FATF Travel Rule compliance. EU AML Regulation (AMLR) and Sixth AML Directive (AMLD6): Standardizes KYC as ongoing, risk-based processes across EU, explicitly including CASPs/VASPs; aligns with AMLA for cross-border supervision. 2024 CMF Update: Adds MiCA-aligned requirements for DASPs. Collect, verify, and store identity documents (e.g., two forms of ID); use third parties permitted. Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): For high-risk cases like PEPs, transactions over €1,000 to self-hosted wallets, or cross-border activities. Ongoing transaction monitoring, KYB for corporate clients (beneficial ownership), and ML/FT risk assessment systems.
general France has been ranked as the top European destination for international investment projects for seven consecutive years (2025). It remains the leading recipient of foreign investment in Europe, driven by a skilled workforce, high-quality infrastructure, diversified industrial base, and access to the EU market. Reduction of corporation tax to 25%. Removal of several production taxes. Labor market reforms for increased flexibility and predictability. Implementation of the PACTE Act (Plan d’Action pour la Croissance et la Transformation des Entreprises). €54 billion “France 2030” investment plan supporting innovative technologies and ecological transition. Paris is now the main financial center of the EU, hosting nearly 347,000 jobs in finance post-Brexit.
licensing AMF — CASP authorization — most experienced EU NCA for crypto. Circle chose France for EU MiCA authorization. ACPR — Prudential supervision, AML/CFT MiCA Regulation (EU) (2023) — CASP authorization, comprehensive crypto regulation PACTE Law (Loi PACTE) (2019) — Prior PSAN/DASP regime — EU's most mature pre-MiCA framework, replaced by MiCA VASP: CASP authorization under MiCA via AMF. SHORT 6-month transition (existing PSANs had to apply by June 30, 2025). 3-6 months (AMF is experienced). France positioning as EU crypto hub. CUSTODY: CASP authorization — custody is a licensed MiCA activity (EUR 50,000 minimum capital) EXCHANGE: CASP authorization — EUR 150,000 minimum capital for trading platforms Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF): Primary authority for registering/licensing Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs, formerly Digital Asset Service Providers or DASPs), supervising crypto offerings (except stablecoins), and enforcing investor protection, AML, and financial regulations.
tax 30% flat tax (PFU) on crypto capital gains for individuals
travel rule Travel Rule adopted — threshold: EUR 0 (no threshold under TFR recast)

Sources

This report is AI-generated from publicly available regulatory sources. Last updated: 2026-09-06. View full profile