European Commission opens public consultation on crypto-asset regulation
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the EU’s markets in crypto-assets regulation, as it prepares to review whether the bloc’s digital assets framework remains fit for purpose, the Finance Ministry said. The consultation, issued on May 19, seeks to collect data and views ahead of possible proposals to revise Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, known as the MiCA regulation (markets in crypto-assets). According to the ministry, the…
TheEuropean Commissionhas launched apublic consultationon the EU’smarkets in crypto-assets regulation, as it prepares to review whether the bloc’s digital assets framework remains fit for purpose, theFinance Ministrysaid. The consultation, issued onMay 19, seeks to collect data and views ahead of possible proposals to reviseRegulation (EU) 2023/1114, known as theMiCA regulation(markets in crypto-assets). According to the ministry, the process forms part of the commission’s work underArticles 140 and 142 of MiCA, which require it to assess the application of the regulation and report on recent developments in the crypto-assets sector. UnderArticle 140, the Commission must submit a report on the application of MiCA to theEuropean Parliamentand theCouncilbyJune 30, 2027, after consulting theEuropean Banking Authority (EBA)and theEuropean Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). That report may also be accompanied by alegislative proposal. At the same time,Article 142requires the commission to report to the European Parliament and the Council on the latest developments incrypto-assets, particularly on areas that were left outside the original scope of MiCA. The ministry said the commission considers it necessary to assess the first experiences from implementing the regulation, while also looking ahead to ensure that the EU’s political and regulatory framework for digital assets reflectsmarket, policy and regulatory developments. Beyondfinancial stabilityandinvestor protection, the ministry added, the commission is also placing emphasis on strengthening theEU’s competitiveness. In this context, the consultation will also seek to identify and reduce, or where possible eliminate, anydisproportionate administrative burdensorbureaucratic red tapearising from the implementation of MiCA. “The regulatory approach remainstechnologically neutral, ensuring the freedom of choice of market participants,” the ministry said. The consultation covers several key elements of the existing framework, including the conditions for offeringcrypto-assetsor seeking their admission to trading, the requirements forasset-referenced tokensande-money tokensand their issuers, as well as the suitability of the current framework forcrypto-asset service providers. It also looks at issues that were left outside MiCA’s initial scope, such asdecentralised finance,staking,lending and borrowing activities,non-fungible tokens, and the need to strengthenlegal certaintyfor crypto-assets and otheron-chain assets. The ministry said the consultation is addressed to a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of thedigital assets industry, such as crypto-asset service providers and issuers, as well aspublic authorities, including national and European supervisory authorities, central banks and finance ministries. Interested parties are invited to submit their responses electronically through theEuropean Commission’s online questionnairebyAugust 31, 2026.