MiCA isn’t a safety net, EU securities chief warns

MiCA’s guardrails aren’t as sturdy as the traditional finance ropes, according to ESMA chair Verena Ross

article-image

Gints Ivuskans/Shutterstock, modified by Blockworks

share

Europe’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) legislation, designed to oversee digital assets, doesn’t guarantee a risk-free crypto environment.

That’s according to the head of the European Union’s top securities regulator, Verena Ross.

Ross, chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), said that MiCA will set up a standard set of rules for crypto across the EU, covering areas that current financial rules miss.

Still, she pointed out in an interview published Wednesday that even with MiCA’s introduction, crypto remains inherently risky.

“Consumers need to be aware that MiCA does not provide the same protection as for traditional financial products,” she said.

However, Ross acknowledged the significance of the new regulation.

She contends that the legislation will markedly transform the present landscape, which varies from anti-money laundering protocols to more evolved standards akin to MiCA.

Approved in April, MiCA will bring forth rules concerning oversight, consumer protection, and environmental measures for cryptoassets. This regulation is set to be a standard for the global crypto industry, with other regions likely to observe and follow suit.

Ross also noted that the law would introduce new crypto guidelines — transparent product details, equitable market operations and enhanced stability — all aiming to safeguard consumers and ensure legitimacy.

Consumers will be better informed about products and their associated risks, she said.

Though MiCA offers a detailed structure for digital asset issuance and trading, it was crafted before the happenings of 2022, which brought up new risks and factors to consider.

Some also believe that MiCA is overly strict in areas like the prohibition on algorithmic stablecoins and mandates for companies providing cryptoasset custody.

All parts of the MiCA rules are expected to be in place for crypto businesses in the EU by the end of 2024.


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Research Report Templates (1).png

Research

Aave’s revenues have doubled from April lows and are fast approaching all-time highs. With 35% of borrow interest coming from ETH and 55% from stablecoins, Aave is emerging as a powerful proxy as an ETH and stablecoin beta. As looping strategies accelerate growth and Horizon positions the protocol to ride the RWA wave, Aave is shaping up as one of DeFi’s most compelling multi-narrative plays.

article-image

Private testnet aims to deliver low-cost settlement with partners including Visa, Deutsche Bank, and OpenAI

by Blockworks /
article-image

Solana saw $78 million in REV for August

article-image

Lit Protocol’s Vincent is shifting agentic finance from toy demos to production rails

article-image

The new system aims to unify Europe’s fragmented tokenized asset settlement and cut cross-border costs

by Blockworks /
article-image

Tron slashed fees by 60% as Plasma looms, threatening its USDT moat

article-image

The acquisition adds evaluation-based funding to Kraken Pro, giving traders access to capital on performance

by Blockworks /