Ireland Archives - Mpelembe Network

The 2026 Crypto Compliance Mandate: Navigating MiCA and the End of the Grandfathering Era

28 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The July 2026 Deadline and “Passporting” The European Union is fundamentally restructuring its digital asset market through the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). By July 1, 2026, the transitional “grandfathering” phase will permanently close, meaning any Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) operating without full MiCA authorization will be doing so illegally. While some member states, like the Netherlands and Sweden, opted for much shorter transition periods that have already expired, the July 2026 date is the absolute maximum limit across the EU. Securing this license grants firms EU-wide “passporting” rights, allowing them to serve clients across all 27 member states with a single authorization. Continue reading →

25 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — As of February 25, 2026, the UK has fully implemented strict pre-departure checks under the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. Because British citizens are legally ineligible to apply for an ETA, dual nationals can no longer use their non-British passports to board flights, ferries, or trains bound for the UK.

When attempting to check in with a foreign passport, the airline’s system will flag the traveler as “not cleared to fly”. Facing fines of up to £10,000 per passenger for non-compliance, carriers are strictly denying boarding to individuals who lack valid proof of their Right of Abode.

To travel to the UK, dual citizens—including children born abroad—must now present one of the following: a valid British passport, an Irish passport, or a Certificate of Entitlement (CoE). The CoE, which costs £589, is transitioning to a digital eVisa format linked to a UKVI account. In limited circumstances, carriers may use their discretion to accept British passports that expired after 1989, or stranded travelers may need to apply for an Emergency Travel Document to return home.

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