[Lithuanian Central Bank Requires Unlicensed Crypto Services to Cease Operations Starting January] The Bank of Lithuania (Lietuvos Bankas) announced that with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) being incorporated into domestic law, all crypto service providers must submit license applications by December 31. Providing related services without a license will be considered illegal starting January 1, 2026. Regulatory measures include fines, website bans, and severe violations may result in up to 4 years of imprisonment. The central bank has requested institutions that will not continue operations to promptly notify customers and complete asset returns and transfers. Currently, out of approximately 370 registered institutions, only about 30 have applied for licenses, with around 120 actively operating. Lithuania plans to become a 'gateway' under the MiCA framework.