The European Commission is gathering feedback on potential updates to its regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, known as MiCA, which was initially implemented on December 30, 2024. This feedback period, announced in May, aims to inform expected revisions to the framework, informally referred to as “MiCA 2.0.”
Key areas identified for enhancement include regulatory clarity regarding stablecoins, decentralized finance (DeFi), and tokenization. Katie Harries, policy director for Europe at Coinbase, emphasized that these refinements are crucial for maintaining competitiveness in the evolving landscape of digital asset regulation. MiCA has already established a significant precedent by creating a unified regulatory approach across EU member states.
The consultation process will explore several topics, including the definitions and regulatory scope of various crypto assets, requirements for asset-referenced tokens (ARTs) and e-money tokens (EMTs), and the legal framework for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs). The revisions are seen as necessary to address areas not fully covered by MiCA 1.0, such as DeFi and prediction markets.
As the EU seeks to refine its policies, the crypto sector anticipates that these changes will enhance consumer protection and provide clearer guidelines for business operations within the bloc.