Good or bad Euronews for crypto?

Vladan Lausevic
Coinmonks
Published in
3 min readApr 25, 2023

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The European Parliament has generally voted for the new rules to trace crypto-asset transfers within the EU. The approval of the Markets in Crypto-assets (MiCA) legislation marks a significant milestone for the European Union, as it aims to provide a unified regulatory framework for crypto-assets, enhancing legal certainty for companies and investors.

MiCA establishes guidelines for the operation, structure, and governance of digital token issuers, along with rules for transparency and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency issuance. The legislation also requires crypto-asset service providers to obtain authorization to operate in the EU, ensuring they meet capital requirements and organizational rules.

Officially, consumer protection is a primary focus of MiCA, which intends to minimize the impact of insolvencies and ensure investors are well-informed about the risks associated with crypto-assets. Additionally, the legislation includes anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) provisions, mandating service providers to perform due diligence on their customers.

The regulatory framework also imposes stringent regulations on stablecoin issuers, such as holding capital reserves and segregating client funds from their own. While some industry stakeholders have applauded the regulatory clarity provided by MiCA, others have expressed concerns about its potential to stifle innovation and growth within the sector. Overall, the approval of MiCA by the European Parliament represents a significant step forward for the crypto industry in Europe, paving the way for increased adoption, innovation, and investment in the field.

The passage of MiCA has been met with a mixed response. While some industry experts and stakeholders welcome its legal certainty, others argue that the regulation may stifle innovation and hinder competition in the rapidly evolving industry. Despite the increased regulatory clarity, many industry experts have expressed concerns about MiCA’s potential impact on innovation and growth within the sector. Many are worried that the regulation’s strict requirements may stifle smaller players, leading to market consolidation and reducing competition. Some industry members have also pointed out that MiCA must address emerging trends, such as decentralized finance (DeFi), staking, lending, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Despite these concerns, the approval of MiCA and TFR is seen by many as a significant milestone for the European crypto industry, providing much-needed clarity and consistency in the region’s regulatory landscape. As the new rules are implemented, attention will likely shift to how they impact the industry’s growth and evolution and regulators’ response to emerging trends and potential gaps in the legislation.

With the legislation expected to be in full effect in the coming years, the focus will now shift to its implementation and potential impact on the EU’s crypto landscape. Different stakeholders are eager to see how regulators will address these emerging trends and the potential gaps in MiCA’s coverage. MiCA mandates that all crypto-asset service providers, including exchanges, wallet providers, and custodians, obtain authorization from their respective national regulators. They must also adhere to capital requirements, maintain organizational procedures, and comply with transparency and disclosure requirements. Furthermore, the regulation imposes strict rules on stablecoin issuers, requiring them to hold capital reserves and segregate client funds from their own.

In addition to MiCA, the European Parliament has also approved new rules on fund transfers. These rules are designed to combat money laundering and terrorist financing by enhancing transparency and increasing the traceability of funds. The Transfer of Funds Regulation (TFR) aims to improve the traceability of funds transfers by requiring virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to collect and report information on the sender and beneficiary of all transfers.

While the passage of MiCA has generally been met with optimism, some critics argue that the new regulations may inadvertently stifle innovation and competition in the rapidly evolving crypto industry. The stringent regulatory requirements may particularly affect smaller players and emerging technologies, such as decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

The new European legal framework generally provides a consistent set of rules for businesses and investors across the EU, promoting legal certainty and investor protection. However, the potential impact of these regulations on innovation and competition within the industry remains a subject of concern and will be closely monitored in the coming years.

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Vladan Lausevic
Coinmonks

I am active as a social and policy entrepreneur. SEEDS ambassador. Motto: I have no identity, I have only identities.