The London MiCAR Roundtable, held on March 25, 2024, brought together industry experts to discuss the evolving EU regulatory landscape for crypto assets under MiCAR. The event focused on sustainability requirements, electronic money tokens (EMTs), and reverse solicitation.
The discussion on sustainability metrics emphasized the need to integrate MiCAR with existing EU frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). Participants highlighted the importance of including positive metrics to present a balanced view of the crypto ecosystem’s impact. They called for standardized reporting frameworks and collaboration between public and private sectors to ensure data accuracy and proportionality while mitigating risks like greenwashing.
The regulatory treatment of electronic money tokens (EMTs) was another focus area. Experts debated MiCAR’s broad categorization of EMTs as e-money, which risks overlooking their distinct characteristics. Suggestions included refining EMT definitions under the forthcoming Payment Services Directive 3 (PSD3) and creating specific criteria based on compliance with MiCAR. The discussion underscored the importance of flexibility to accommodate diverse EMT mechanisms while safeguarding consumer protections and fostering innovation.
The roundtable also explored the complexities of reverse solicitation, especially in digital contexts like app storefronts. With platforms like Apple and Google updating their guidelines, participants emphasized the need for clear standards to differentiate client-initiated interactions from active solicitation. They highlighted the challenges for third-country crypto service providers navigating these rules and proposed collaboration with app providers to ensure consistency and compliance across the EU.
Key takeaways included the need for ongoing dialogue between regulators and the crypto industry to refine MiCAR’s application. Standardized frameworks, periodic reviews, and international collaboration were emphasized as critical to fostering a balanced regulatory environment that supports innovation and market integrity. These efforts aim to align MiCAR with evolving technological and market realities, ensuring its effectiveness as the cornerstone of EU crypto regulation.
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