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Key takeaways (verified October 5, 2026)
- No MiCA-licensed exchange in the EU sells USDT any more — Tether chose not to apply for authorisation.
- Holding USDT in your own wallet is still legal; licensed platforms just cannot offer it to EEA customers.
- For dollars use USDC, for euros EURC — both MiCA-compliant, both on Kraken and Bitvavo.
- Binance suspended most EU services on July 1, 2026, so it is no longer a way round this for EEA residents.
The short answer
If you live in the EU or EEA, you can no longer buy USDT (Tether) on a regulated exchange. Under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation (MiCA), a dollar stablecoin offered to Europeans must be issued by an authorised e-money institution. Tether decided not to apply, so licensed exchanges removed it — and since the MiCA transition period ended on July 1, 2026, none of them may offer it.
For most people that is not a problem: USDC, issued by Circle, does the same job — a token worth one US dollar — and is fully MiCA-compliant. If you want euros instead of dollars, Circle's EURC is the euro equivalent.
What happened to USDT in the EU — timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|
| December 13, 2024 | Coinbase removes USDT for EEA users |
| December 30, 2024 | MiCA's stablecoin rules apply across the EU |
| January 31, 2025 | Crypto.com delists USDT for EU users |
| March 24, 2025 | Kraken halts USDT spot trading in the EEA (deposits and withdrawals only) |
| March 31, 2025 | Binance removes USDT spot pairs for EEA users |
| July 1, 2026 | MiCA transition period ends — no licensed EU platform may offer USDT; Binance suspends most EU services |
Sources: exchange notices and ESMA statements; checked October 5, 2026.
Is USDT banned? What is still legal
No. MiCA regulates the companies that serve you, not what you may own. As an EU resident you can still:
- Hold USDT in a self-custody wallet (for example a hardware wallet);
- Send and receive USDT between wallets;
- Use it on decentralised exchanges and DeFi apps, which sit outside MiCA's licensing rules.
What you cannot do is buy, sell or keep USDT through a licensed EU exchange. That matters in practice: no SEPA on-ramp, no protection from a regulated platform, and more steps — and more risk — whenever you need USDT specifically.
What to use instead: USDC and EURC
| USDC | EURC | USDT |
|---|
| Pegged to | US dollar | Euro | US dollar |
| Issuer | Circle | Circle | Tether |
| MiCA status | Compliant | Compliant | Not authorised |
| Reserve reporting | Monthly attestation (Deloitte) | Monthly attestation | Quarterly attestation |
| On Kraken / Bitvavo (EU) | Yes | Yes | No |
Kraken
Licensed in the EU (MiCA) and the US · never hacked
Buy USDC or EURC with a free SEPA deposit. On Kraken Pro, stablecoin and FX pairs start at 0.20% per trade.
Open Kraken →
Bitvavo
MiCA licensed (AFM, Netherlands) · simplest EU app
Free SEPA deposits and a €5 minimum order; stablecoin pairs have their own lower fee schedule.
Open Bitvavo →
Sending money home with stablecoins
Many readers ask about USDT because their family abroad — in Nigeria, India, Ukraine or Latin America — receives and spends USDT. You do not need to buy USDT in Europe to help them:
- Send USDC instead. Most large exchanges and wallets outside Europe accept USDC, and your family can convert it to USDT or local currency there, where USDT is widely traded.
- Check the network first. Agree in advance which blockchain both wallets support (see below). Circle ended support for USDC on Tron, so a TRC-20 address is not an option for USDC.
- Avoid peer-to-peer deals with strangers. Buying USDT from individuals to get around the rules is where most remittance scams happen.
Our remittance guide covers costs and safety in detail: Send money home with crypto.
Step-by-step: buying USDC in the EU
01
Choose a MiCA-licensed exchange
Kraken or Bitvavo for most readers; Coinmate if you want to pay in CZK.
02
Verify your account (KYC)
Passport or national ID plus a selfie, usually done in minutes. Every licensed EU exchange is required to do this.
03
Deposit euros by SEPA
Free on Kraken and Bitvavo; typically arrives within one business day.
04
Buy USDC (or EURC)
Use a limit order for larger amounts to avoid paying a spread.
05
Withdraw on the right network
Only if you are sending it on: choose a network the receiving wallet supports, and test with a small amount first.
Which network to use
Ethereum (ERC-20)
Higher fees
Supported almost everywhere — the safe default when unsure.
Solana
Very low fees
Fast and cheap; check the receiving wallet supports Solana USDC.
Base / Polygon
Low fees
Popular low-cost options on many exchanges and wallets.
⚠️ Sending on the wrong network can mean permanent loss. Copy the address and the network from the receiving exchange — never from a message or email — and send a small test amount first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy USDT in Europe in 2026?
Not on a licensed EU exchange. Tether has not sought MiCA authorisation, so Coinbase (December 2024), Crypto.com (January 2025), Kraken (March 2025) and Binance's EEA platform (March 2025) all stopped offering USDT trading to EEA users, and since July 1, 2026 no MiCA-licensed exchange may offer it. You can still hold USDT in your own wallet; for buying dollar stablecoins in the EU, USDC is the compliant choice.
Is USDT banned in Europe?
No. Holding USDT in a self-custody wallet, sending it or using it on decentralised exchanges is not prohibited for individuals. What MiCA does is stop licensed EU exchanges and other crypto service providers from offering it to EEA customers.
What should I use instead of USDT in the EU?
USDC (US dollars) or EURC (euros), both issued by Circle and MiCA-compliant. Both can be bought on licensed exchanges such as Kraken and Bitvavo with a free SEPA deposit. For a family abroad that prefers USDT, send USDC and let them convert locally, where USDT is widely traded.
Which network should I use to send USDC?
Use a network both sides support — commonly Ethereum (most compatible, higher fees), Solana or Base (low fees). Circle ended support for USDC on Tron, so TRC-20 is not an option for USDC. Always check the receiving address and network before sending: a wrong network can mean permanent loss.
Risk Disclaimer: Stablecoins aim to hold their peg but are not guaranteed by any government or central bank, and their issuers carry counterparty risk. MiCA rules continue to evolve. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or tax advice; converting between crypto assets can be a taxable event in many EU countries.