MiCA Phase Two: How Firms Are Preparing for the First EU Licensing Audits

“Compliance is no longer optional — it’s operational.” – DNA Crypto Knowledge Base.

Europe has entered Phase Two of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), marking a pivotal shift from registration to verification. The EU’s first wave of licensing audits for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) is now underway — a defining moment for Europe’s digital asset industry.

MiCA Phase Two is about proof, not promises. Regulators are moving beyond declarations and documentation to demand evidence — systems that work, records that hold up, and governance that withstands scrutiny.

Learn more: MiCA and Investor Protections

Verification Over Registration

MiCA’s second phase brings a deeper layer of accountability.
Auditors are reviewing not just whether VASPs are licensed, but how they operate:

  • – How clients are onboarded and verified

  • – How transactions are tracked and stored

  • – How custody is managed under MiCA’s segregation rules

  • – How firms detect, escalate, and report suspicious activity

Regulators are now examining decision-making, data handling, and risk frameworks — turning compliance into a live, ongoing process rather than a checklist exercise.

Explore: MiCA Licensing Explained

DNA Crypto: Audit Readiness in Action

A standout example of MiCA audit readiness is DNA Crypto, a VASP-licensed brokerage based in Poland.
Rather than treating compliance as a formality, DNA Crypto has built a verification-first culture — one that views audits not as an obstacle but as a strategic advantage.

The firm has invested in:

  • – Integrated KYC/AML systems aligned with both national and EU standards

  • – Internal audit simulations mirroring regulatory inspection frameworks

  • – Legal and regulatory partnerships to interpret evolving MiCA guidelines

  • – Automated transaction monitoring with escalation and case-tracking systems

DNA Crypto’s approach is proactive, not reactive — embedding resilience and transparency at every operational level.

See: Crypto Custody Solutions

Lessons for the Industry

For firms still preparing for an audit, DNA Crypto’s model offers a practical roadmap:

  • – Start early — MiCA’s depth demands months of preparation.

  • – Document everything — Regulators want evidence, not intentions.

  • – Engage locally — National regulators interpret MiCA differently; relationships matter.

  • – Simulate audits — Internal reviews reveal weaknesses before regulators do.

  • – Invest in technology — Scalable compliance requires automation, not manpower alone.

Read: DeFi and MiCA Regulation

Why It Matters

MiCA Phase Two isn’t just a compliance exercise — it’s a test of credibility and sustainability.
Firms that pass will gain a lasting edge through trust, transparency, and institutional recognition.

Audit readiness now defines leadership in the European digital asset market. DNA Crypto exemplifies how regulatory strength can become a growth engine, embedding compliance into its DNA — literally and strategically.

More: Global Impact of MiCA

Image: Adobe Stock

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice.