European Parliament Pushes for More Stringent Regulation of the Global Cryptocurrency Market

The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) has published a report that calls for tighter oversight and regulation of the global cryptocurrency market. The report highlights the potential for regulatory arbitrage and the decentralized nature of crypto assets as reasons why harmonizing regulations across major jurisdictions is crucial.

The Need for Convergence in Crypto Asset Regulation

The report emphasizes the necessity of convergence in regulation between key jurisdictions due to the interconnectedness of global financial markets. It expresses concerns about the financial stability of the EU’s financial system and its reliance on policy actions taken by non-EU countries within the scope of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The report argues that the current regulations in non-EU countries raise questions about financial stability and the ability of global financial institutions to cope with price volatility and losses in crypto-asset markets.

To address these concerns, the report recommends enhanced oversight from non-EU regulators to ensure stability and development in the global cryptocurrency market.

Crypto Asset Regulation Divergence

The report also examines the regulatory landscape in the United States, describing it as fragmented due to the lack of a federal-level crypto-asset regime. This fragmentation has resulted in substantial regulatory divergence among states, with each adopting different approaches. For example, the State of New York introduced the “BitLicense” in 2015, which requires cryptocurrency exchanges to provide detailed operational information and fulfill “Know-Your-Customer” (KYC) requirements. Consequently, several major crypto companies, including ShapeShift and Kraken, stopped serving New York residents to comply with the regulations.

On the other hand, the State of Wyoming has emerged as a crypto-friendly state by providing a beneficial legal status for blockchain technology firms and enabling banks to offer blockchain-based services.

The UK, the EU, and Crypto

The report discusses the United Kingdom’s intention to become a global crypto hub and its different approach to regulation compared to the EU. While the EU is working on implementing the MiCA framework for a broad range of crypto assets, the UK has chosen to regulate specific crypto assets, mainly stablecoins. This divergence in regulatory approaches between the UK and the EU is expected to lead to significant differences in identifying and regulating crypto assets in the future.

Japan is also mentioned in the report for introducing a regulatory framework for crypto assets that builds upon existing legislation. This framework ensures investor protection by placing responsibilities on intermediaries of stablecoins to comply with anti-money laundering and user data protection laws.

The Benefits of Tighter Regulation

Although the report acknowledges that tighter regulation in the EU may have some adverse effects on the development of crypto-asset markets, it argues that there is evidence of the positive impact of a tighter regulatory framework. The report suggests that the EU’s regulatory actions will bring overall benefits, but third-party policy actions are still necessary to complement and strengthen financial stability.

Editor Notes

The European Parliament’s push for tighter regulation of the global cryptocurrency market reflects the growing recognition of the need for consistency and oversight in this rapidly evolving industry. As blockchain technology continues to disrupt traditional financial systems, it is crucial to establish clear regulations that protect investors and promote stability. While some may argue that excessive regulations stifle innovation, finding the right balance between regulation and innovation is necessary for the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies. Stay updated with the latest cryptocurrency news on Uber Crypto News.