The European Union has announced a new series of measures aimed at strengthening the cryptocurrency regulatory framework. Following the entry into force of the MiCA regulation in December 2024, European regulators are proposing ambitious amendments to cover emerging financial technologies. Stablecoins, decentralized finance (DeFi), and crypto lending platforms are particularly targeted by this new legislative wave.
**MiCA 2: An Expanded Framework for Digital Assets**
The European Commission believes these new rules will better protect investors while fostering innovation in the digital asset sector. Meanwhile, the CME is suing the CFTC over Bitcoin perpetual futures, adding another layer of regulatory complexity. Market participants will have an 18-month period to comply with the new requirements after their adoption by the European Parliament. The text, dubbed ‘MiCA 2’ by observers, significantly extends the scope of the initial regulation. While MiCA 1 primarily focused on stablecoin issuers and crypto-asset service providers (CASPs), MiCA 2 tackles previously unregulated sectors such as DeFi, which is currently experiencing a significant slump, liquid staking, and crypto lending.
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**DeFi in Regulators’ Sights**
One of the most discussed points of MiCA 2 concerns the regulation of decentralized finance. The Commission proposes a specific framework for DeFi protocols, with enhanced transparency requirements and protection mechanisms.
