HDIW | Understanding MiCA: the EU Crypto-Asset Regulation - Andrew Whitworth

Andrew Whitworth, PhD, visiting fellow European University Institute, provides an in-depth overview of MiCA, the European Union’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for blockchain-based financial activities and crypto-assets. Andrew discusses how MiCA aims to harmonize crypto regulations across #EU member states, creating a unified market that promotes legal clarity and consumer protection. MiCA establishes clear guidelines for the issuance of crypto assets, service provider operations, and stablecoins, distinguishing these from traditional financial instruments. It introduces requirements for transparency, governance, and market integrity while ensuring financial stability. The video explores the broader context in which MiCA was developed, including the rise of initial coin offerings (ICOs), the emergence of stablecoins like Libra (later Diem), and global developments such as China’s digital yuan initiative. While MiCA does not currently regulate decentralized finance (DeFi), it sets the stage for future regulatory discussions in this area. --- Follow EU-SDFA activities: Website: https://eusdfa.eui.eu/ Linkedin:   / eu-supervisory-digital-finance-academy   Twitter:   / eu_sdfa