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.
The contract itself does not change by geography: a ENA perpetual settles in USDC everywhere.
13 venues open Ethena perps to traders in France.
ApeX
Aster
Avantis
gTrade
Helix
Hyperliquid
Lighter
Pacifica
Paradex
Reya
VestFour 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 Ethena from France: legal.
Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF).
France traders can fund Ethena positions using SEPA / SEPA Instant transfer (EUR), Debit card and PayPal.
Canborsa charges 0.07% per side (0.14% round trip) on Ethena.