Stablecoins
EU Regulators Issue Guidelines for Crypto Asset Classification
Saturday. July 20 at 6:30 AM
1 min. readEuropean Union regulators have introduced new guidelines for classifying cryptocurrencies and digital assets under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation. The European Banking Authority, European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, and European Securities and Markets Authority released a consultation paper to standardize the classification of digital assets. The guidelines offer a structured approach to categorizing crypto assets, including determining if a token falls under MiCA based on criteria like issuer identity and blockchain use. It also helps differentiate between standard crypto assets, electronic money tokens (EMTs), and asset-referenced tokens (ARTs). Issuers of ARTs must provide a legal opinion in their white papers to clarify token classification. Market stakeholders can provide feedback on the guidelines until mid-October, with a virtual hearing scheduled for September 23. Circle, a stablecoin issuer, has already ensured compliance with MiCA for its USD Coin and EURC, with further regulations expected by December 2024.