EU financial regulator adds this warning after issuing MiCA proposals

After issuing its first set of proposals around the markets in crypto-assets (MiCA) regulation, the financial regulator of European Union (EU) has added a warning.

On 12 July, the European and Securities Markets Authority (ESMA) published a consultation paper.

On the same day, ESMA chair Verena Ross warned consumers in the EU that “there will be no such thing as a safe crypto-asset.” Ross cautioned consumers that cryptocurrencies are still risky.

The consultation paper solicits comments on regulatory and technical standards from all the stakeholders. The regulator was also asking for confidential details about crypto firms’ expected revenue, number of white papers, and the usage of on- and off-chain trading.

Applicants must demonstrate that they will not mix client funds and crypto, and will not use the assets for the company’s own account. They should also provide information about the security of their ICT system and underlying distributed ledger technology.

Participants should file their responses by 20 September.

The regulator informed that it will begin the second round of consultation in October which will cover sustainability and record-keeping. Its third round will take place in early 2024 which will address how foreign companies will be able to serve EU consumers.

The new MiCA proposals also require crypto service providers to handle customer complaints in the specified manner. The proposals also lay down conflict-of-interest rules in the virtual assets industry.

EBA asks stablecoin issuers to be ready ahead of MiCA

MiCA was approved by the European Parliament in April. The EU Council also unanimously passed it in May. It will come into force in 2024 and will be fully implemented by 2025.

The law will give crypto exchanges and wallet providers the ability to operate across the 27-nation bloc with one license.

On 12 July, the European Banking Authority (EBA) also issued a press statement.

It urged stablecoin issuers to start preparing for the MiCA regulation. This way, there will be no urgency in trying to adhere to the guidelines when they are implemented.

Source: https://ambcrypto.com/eu-financial-regulator-adds-this-warning-after-issuing-mica-proposals/