It’s official: Bitget has announced the progressive shutdown of its services for French residents starting January 2026.
After Bybit and KuCoin, this decision confirms a clear trend: crypto regulation in France is tightening for good.
If you hold funds on Bitget, the real question is no longer if you should act but when and how.
Why is Bitget leaving the French market?
Since November 2023, Bitget has appeared on the French financial regulator’s blacklist for operating without the mandatory registration required to legally offer crypto services in France.
Beyond regulatory status, the core issue lies in Bitget’s business model.
The platform is built around:
- high-leverage derivatives (up to 125x),
- margin trading,
- copy trading strategies aimed at retail users.
These products are widely considered too risky for non-professional investors under French and European regulatory standards.
Rather than fundamentally reshaping its offering, Bitget has chosen to exit the French market.
MiCA: the real turning point for crypto exchanges
The European MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation marks a structural shift for the industry.
From 2026 onward, exchanges operating in Europe must:
- strictly segregate client funds,
- strengthen governance and risk management,
- increase transparency around reserves,
- limit access to excessively speculative products.
For many global exchanges, these requirements represent a major strategic constraint.
Bitget’s withdrawal is an early signal of what’s coming.
Key dates you must not miss
📅 January 16, 2026
- New registrations closed for French residents
- Existing accounts remain operational
📅 March 16, 2026 – 10:00 AM (Paris time)
- Crypto and fiat deposits disabled
- Full trading halt (Spot, Futures, Margin)
- No new positions can be opened
- All open positions must be closed
📅 March 31, 2026
- Final shutdown for French users
- Automatic liquidation of remaining positions
- All pending orders cancelled
- Funds not withdrawn (above 10 USDC) transferred to a third-party platform, making recovery more complex
What are the risks if you do nothing?
🔒 Frozen funds
Assets not withdrawn on time may become difficult to access, with long and uncertain recovery procedures.
📉 Reduced customer support
After the shutdown, support for French users will be minimal or nonexistent.
⚠️ No regulatory protection
Without proper authorization, there is no official legal recourse in case of disputes, technical issues, or fund loss.
💸 Unexpected tax consequences
Forced liquidation can trigger capital gains taxation, often under unfavorable market conditions.
How to react the smart way
At Exceefy, one principle comes first: regain full control of your assets.
That means:
- closing positions early,
- withdrawing funds well before deadlines,
- moving assets to:
- a self-custody wallet (preferably a cold wallet), or
- a fully compliant platform authorized to operate in France.
This is not about leaving crypto it’s about staying invested safely.
What Bitget’s exit tells us about the crypto market
The message is clear:
👉 Web3 is maturing
👉 regulation is here to stay
👉 security now outweighs excessive leverage
Investors who adapt early will gain a long-term advantage over those who react too late.
In short
- Bitget exits France in 2026
- Deadlines are strict
- Inaction can be costly
In a rapidly evolving crypto landscape, anticipation is your strongest asset.
At Exceefy, smart investing starts with smart protection.
