The approval of MiCA (Markets in Crypto-assets) by the European Parliament, which sets forth requirements for the cryptocurrency market, is expected to have implications for centralized exchanges operating in the EU. The implementation of a unified set of rules could potentially facilitate the entry of digital asset-related companies into the European market. However, it may also have far-reaching effects on cryptocurrency regulation in other countries.
MiCA has gained support from influential players in the cryptocurrency industry. As the European Union (EU) is one of the world’s largest economies, the approval of MiCA could have significant global repercussions. The EU has historically maintained high standards and often sets its own rules for international companies, making its regulations influential in the global market.
Prior to the adoption of MiCA, EU countries relied on existing anti-money laundering (AML) legislation to regulate cryptocurrencies. Even after Brexit, the UK continued to follow the EU’s rules, as highlighted by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong after his meeting with UK Economy Secretary Andrew Griffith. Armstrong commended the UK’s approach and considered the adoption of MiCA as a milestone for crypto companies operating in the region, suggesting that other countries could take inspiration from European lawmakers.
Similar sentiments were echoed by other key players in the crypto industry. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao expressed readiness to make necessary adjustments to ensure compliance with MiCA over the next 12-18 months. Mark Jennings, Head of Europe at Kraken, stated that MiCA has the potential to become a universal standard for customer protection and business efficiency.
The disparity in cryptocurrency regulations between the US and the EU is becoming increasingly evident, with key industry figures once again drawing attention to the uncertainty surrounding US regulation. This uncertainty could potentially lead to a significant exodus of US companies from the cryptocurrency industry. The head of Coinbase recently criticized regulators’ actions during a meeting with representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), stressing that the US cannot afford to fall behind in this important technology. He emphasized the need for regulators to develop clear rules for the cryptocurrency sector before imposing fines and issuing Wells Notices to companies.
Due to the slow pace of resolving this issue by US regulators, who have been engaging in prolonged discussions on the legal status of cryptocurrencies, more companies associated with digital assets are opting to move to more favorable jurisdictions. Hong Kong has emerged as a potential destination, with more than 20 well-known platforms already announcing plans to open representative offices there, as reported by the WSJ.
Market implications
The market implications of these two initiatives are significant, particularly for smaller players who conduct transfers in cryptocurrencies. This includes small crypto exchangers and P2P services, who will now need to collect and provide a significant amount of customer information upon request in order to comply with the new regulations. This may not be well-received by many users.
Moreover, if these regulations are implemented as outlined, it may also result in increased ease for authorities to interact with larger crypto exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase, thereby strengthening control over transfers. The EU authorities are aiming to regulate all transactions exceeding 1,000 euros, which is approximately 0.04 BTC at the current exchange rate.
On the other hand, the introduction of these laws could have a positive impact on those who view cryptocurrencies purely as speculative or investment assets and prioritize regulation over privacy. With increased regulations, theoretically, there may be fewer opportunities for scammers. However, in the event of a cyber attack on a crypto exchange, the collection and systematization of customer information as required by regulations may provide additional data for scammers to exploit.
The potential trend could be the adoption of similar laws in other regions around the world, although the process may not be fast. Both MiCA and Proposal for a regulation on information accompanying transfers of funds and certain crypto-assets are not new initiatives, as they took several years to be agreed upon. The cryptocurrency industry is still relatively new and largely unfamiliar to lawmakers, with only limited regulation in place.
One possible consequence of these laws is the potential development of Decentralized Exchange (DEX) platforms and “shadow decentralized services”. Some cryptocurrency users may not want to disclose additional information about themselves and their transactions to regulators for various reasons. This could lead to increased popularity of coins that prioritize data privacy and confidentiality within their blockchains.
It is unlikely that the emergence of laws in the markets will have a significant impact, similar to what happened with the stock market in the early 20th century. Initially, the stock market had more freedom, but over time, legislators introduced restrictions. However, trading continues to this day. The same may happen with cryptocurrencies. Despite the unanimous agreement among legislators in the European Union on restricting the crypto industry, these laws have not yet come into force. It is expected that smaller players such as crypto exchangers and P2P sites may be most affected by these regulations.
