Australia Sets Digital Asset Rules, Aims for Global Lead

March 24, 2025

Catenaa, Monday, March 24, 2025-The Australia government on Thursday announced plans to establish a ‘fit for purpose’ digital asset framework aimed at fostering innovation while ensuring consumer protection.  The Treasury released a paper Thursday detailing efforts to regulate digital asset platforms (DAPs) and stablecoins, with input from industry leaders, regulators, and the public. The initiative […]

ESMA to Delist Non-MiCA Stablecoins by Q1 2025

January 26, 2025

Catenaa, Sunday, January 26, 2025 – The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has directed crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) to delist stablecoins that fail to comply with the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) by the end of the first quarter of 2025. Although the directive did not specify which stablecoins are non-compliant, it follows the […]

EU Banks Lag in Crypto Adoption Despite Demand

March 31, 2025

Catenaa, Monday, March 31, 2025-A new survey highlights a growing gap between European banks and crypto investors, as most financial institutions hesitate to adopt digital asset services.  The Bitpanda report shows that while crypto demand surges, only a fraction of EU banks offer trading or custody services. Regulatory uncertainty and risk aversion are key barriers. […]

EU Plans Tougher Capital Rules for Insurers Holding Crypto

April 1, 2025

Catenaa, Tuesday, April 01, 2025- The European Union (EU) has proposed a rule requiring insurers to hold capital reserves equal to their crypto holdings, a move aimed at addressing the volatility and risks associated with digital assets. The proposal, made by the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), stresses the need for enhanced financial […]

Kraken, Coinbase Secure EU, UK Approval for Crypto Expansion

February 4, 2025

Catenaa, Tuesday, February 04, 2025 – US-based cryptocurrency exchanges Kraken and Coinbase have received regulatory approvals, clearing the way for expanded operations in the European Union and the United Kingdom, respectively. Kraken obtained a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) license in the EU through its acquisition of a Cypriot investment firm regulated by the […]

Luxembourg Flags Crypto Firms as AML High Risk

May 28, 2025

Catenaa, Wednesday, May 28, 2025-Cryptocurrency firms in Luxembourg, particularly Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), have been designated as “high-risk” for money laundering in the nation’s 2025 National Risk Assessment, underscoring mounting regulatory concerns around digital asset activities. The report, published May 26, points to high transaction volumes, decentralized structures, and global clientele as core vulnerabilities. […]

MICA Cryptocurrency Proposal now Envisions the Future of Digital Money

October 1, 2023

In October 2022, the European Union unveiled the Markets in Cryptoassets (MiCA) Regulation. Approved by the European Parliament, it is the world’s first crypto-asset regulatory framework, addressing key crypto investing concerns. Most crypto-assets, excluding those like security tokens and central bank digital currencies, now find their regulatory home within MiCA. This includes: Further, public offerings […]

MiCA Spurs EU Crypto Shakeout as Smaller Firms Face Exit

June 6, 2025

Catenaa, Friday, June 06, 2025-The European Union’s landmark crypto regulation, Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), is reshaping the continent’s digital asset industry, forcing smaller firms to either adapt to strict compliance or exit the market altogether. Legal experts and industry insiders at the recent UN:BLOCK conference in Riga said MiCA, which aims to unify crypto regulation […]

Tether-Backed Firms Launch MiCA-Compliant Stablecoins as USDT Faces EU Exit

June 3, 2025

Catenaa, Tuesday, June 03, 2025- Two Tether-backed startups have launched a MiCA-compliant stablecoin initiative in Europe, marking a strategic shift by the stablecoin giant as exchanges begin delisting USDT across the European Economic Area. Crypto payments firm Oobit and stablecoin issuer StablR announced Tuesday they will integrate euro- and dollar-pegged assets, EURR and USDR, into […]

Trade Republic Secures Full MiCA License From BaFin

May 19, 2025

Catenaa, Tuesday, May 20, 2025-Trade Republic, one of Europe’s largest fintech firms, has obtained a full Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) license from Germany’s financial regulator BaFin, positioning itself to expand crypto services across the European Economic Area. The license allows Trade Republic to provide crypto custody and execute or transmit client orders in all […]