Spot and derivatives diverge sharply here. Holding and trading spot crypto is lawful for a French resident, but who may serve them is now tightly closed: the transition from the French PSAN regime under the loi Pacte to the EU MiCA regulation ended on 1 July 2026, and since 2 July 2026 only an authorised crypto-asset service provider (PSCA/CASP) may provide crypto services in France.
The AMF publishes a white list of authorised providers and stresses that MiCA carries no equivalence regime with third countries, so a non-EU exchange cannot serve French clients on the strength of a home-country licence; providers that failed to obtain authorisation are running orderly wind-down plans and moving clients out. France had authorised 31 providers by 6 July 2026, against 283 across the EU.
A perpetual on ASTER tracks price and does not confer ownership of the underlying — the same contract mechanics apply in every jurisdiction; what differs by country is legal status and funding rails.
9 venues open Aster perps to traders in France.
ApeX
Aster
Avantis
gTrade
Helix
Hyperliquid
Lighter
PacificaFour steps from sign-up to an open position.
Occasional traders pay up to 30% PFU on crypto gains; professional traders are taxed as non-commercial profits (BNC) up to 45%.
Trading Aster from France: legal.
For France residents trading Aster: Occasional traders pay up to 30% PFU on crypto gains; professional traders are taxed as non-commercial profits (BNC) up to 45%.
Full identity verification, driven by the licence.
France residents can trade Aster on 15 platforms, including ApeX, Aster and Avantis.