The European Commission wants to get rid of fragmentation from differing supervisory approaches in member states.
Earlier in the year, Europe’s Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde insisted that Bitcoin would not be included in the reserve portfolios of central banks under the ECB’s umbrella; the statement was intended to draw a firm boundary around sovereign engagement with digital assets. For more than two decades, reserve cohesion has served as a […]
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The European Securities and Markets Authority is preparing to take greater, more centralized control of crypto regulation across the 27-country trading block, according to reports.
European Central Bank officials kept a clear target this week: launch the digital euro in 2029. That goal was described as realistic by senior ECB figures, even as the bank said it will carry on with preparation work beyond the formal end of its current phase in October 2025. According to Bloomberg and ECB statements, the timetable depends on new EU laws and technical readiness. Related Reading: Dogecoin Ignites — 60% Volume Boom Teases Potential Rally Preparation Phase Continues After October 2025 Based on reports, the ECB started the preparation phase in November 2023 and has been building rules and testing options since then. The formal stretch of that phase was due to finish in October 2025, but officials said work will not stop. Tasks left on the list include finalizing the rulebook, deciding how privacy and anti-money-laundering checks will work, and lining up service providers and technical infrastructure. No final decision to issue will be taken until the legal framework is in place. What The 2029 Target Means For Markets And Banks Reports have disclosed that the bank aims for a mid-2029 launch if everything aligns — legislation, systems, and user tools. That leaves four years for lawmakers and market players to move. Banks will be watching closely. So will fintech firms and payment platforms. Some regulators have said they want central bank money available electronically so citizens can keep using safe public money as cash use falls. Political Pressure And International Context According to media coverage, political signals from outside the EU have helped speed talks. US President Donald Trump’s moves on crypto and stablecoin regulation were cited by some EU ministers as a reason to solidify Europe’s own plan. The ECB says the digital euro is partly about keeping public money relevant as private payment options multiply. Any decision to issue and distribute a retail CBDC will still need approval from EU lawmakers before the bank can start broad rollouts. Related Reading: Avalanche Expands In Asia — Japan’s Biggest Card Processor Joins The Network Open questions around design and limits remain. Will retail accounts hold interest? How much can a person keep in digital euros? Can citizens use the currency offline? These are basic questions that lawmakers and the ECB must answer together. Reports say the ECB is aiming to protect privacy while meeting AML rules, but those goals sometimes conflict and will need trade-offs. A narrow window, but not a guarantee. The 2029 timeline is a signal to markets and developers. It is a target, not a promise. Based on reports, the bank’s path will be shaped by how quickly EU legislation moves and how well technical trials go over the next months and years. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from TradingView
MiCA has given Europe a uniquely strong position to establish the regulatory gold standard for crypto, says Malta Financial Services Authority CEO Kenneth Farrugia, but regulators must work quickly and collaboratively to preserve the region’s advantage.
Fintech giant gains CySEC approval to offer compliant crypto trading across 30 EEA markets under MiCA
Regulators seek direct ESMA supervision and tighter rules on non-EU platforms to boost investor protection.
The new staking service allows users to earn rewards on ether and solana with no minimum amount required.
A Eurozone CBDC could provide business continuity in the event of a cyberattack on banks or other payment providers
Stablecoins should comply with the bloc’s regulatory standards before operating on EU soil, Lagarde argued.
Assetera’s new API lets crypto exchanges offer tokenized stocks and bonds across Europe without a license.
U.S. dollar stablecoins will cement their dominance unless alternatives like the digital euro arise, an adviser to the European Central Bank said.
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has raised red flags over Malta’s handling of license approvals under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. In a peer review report released on July 10, ESMA highlighted deficiencies in how the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) approved a recent crypto asset service provider (CASP), urging tighter […]
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More than 50 institutions, including major stablecoin issuers and crypto service providers, have received regulatory approval under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework within the first six months of the regulation. On July 7, Circle executive Patrick Hansen shared new data from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), revealing that 53 entities […]
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"The decision is in line with the Eurosystem’s commitment to supporting innovation without compromising on safety and efficiency in financial market infrastructures," a release said.
The company joins Kraken, Coinbase and Bybit who have also received MiCA licenses to operate in Europe.
Kraken will now be able to offer crypto services across the 30 countries in the European Economic Area
Coinbase, the largest US-based exchange, has taken a major step in its global expansion by securing approval under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, according to a June 20 statement. The exchange confirmed that Luxembourg’s financial watchdog, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), granted it the necessary license to operate across the […]
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Coinbase joins other major exchanges like Bybit, OKX and Crypto.com in being able to operate across the European Union.
Crypto exchange Bybit has received regulatory approval under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework from Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA), according to a statement issued on May 29. This license enables the platform to offer digital asset services across all 30 European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Bybit plans to make Austria the hub […]
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Backpack has officially opened the withdrawal window for former FTX EU customers, marking a major step in returning lost funds to the defunct exchange users across Europe. The claims process went live on May 12, following Backpack’s earlier acquisition of FTX’s European arm in January 2025. According to a notice on its website, the exchange […]
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The license awarded by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) will enable the company to offer perpetual futures and other derivatives across Europe.
The hub has 70 participants including Accenture, KPMG and CaixaBank.
The European Central Bank said U.S. support for crypto could result in damage to the European Union's financial stability.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has reportedly raised alarms over the possible consequences of US President Donald Trump’s crypto-friendly stance, Politico reported on April 22, citing a policy paper. According to the report, the ECB highlighted the potential ripple effects of US stablecoin legislation as a key risk factor that could expose the bloc to market […]
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"The EU considers US tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy," the European Commission said
"This crypto-friendly stance has the potential to accelerate crypto adoption, including by institutional investors," an ESMA spokesperson said.
The product will enable European companies and their customers to securely access digital platforms including those in the world of Web3.
The European Union has taken action against Garantex, a Russia-based crypto exchange, as part of its 16th sanctions package targeting entities linked to the Ukraine conflict. In a statement released on Feb. 24, the EU identified Garantex as a key player in facilitating Russia’s efforts to bypass financial restrictions. The council cited the exchange’s close […]
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The two-stage process will start with a link to the existing Target system.