The use of crypto-assets and the technology behind them has proven to be both immensely promising and problematic. The EU wants to help boost the development of these technologies and their use in the EU, while protecting users.

Risks of crypto-assets

Part of the attraction of crypto-assets is avoiding the need for a central register and institution, enabling safe and simple transactions between two parties without an intermediary. However, this, together with a lack of regulation- (crypto-assets are currently out of the scope of EU legislation - creates substantial risks.

Risks for consumers, companies and markets

When dealing with crypto-assets, people are not covered by EU consumer protection rules and are often not well informed about the risks, which could mean they lose money. The widespread use of crypto-assets without regulation could drive financial instability, market manipulation and financial crime. As transactions are largely anonymous, cryptocurrencies are widely used for criminal activities. In the wake of the Ukraine war, EU countries limited trade with crypto-assets for use in Russia or with a Russian entity.

Environmental impact

The technology uses huge quantities of electricity, resulting in a high environmental footprint. According to estimates, the energy consumption of bitcoin equals that of a small country.

The benefits of new EU crypto-regulation

The EU is working on new rules called Markets in Crypto-Assets to boost the potential of crypto-assets and curb potential threats. MEPs have reviewed and amended the European Commission's proposal and a provisional agreement was reached by Parliament and Council in June 2022. It now awaits final approval by the Parliament as well as by EU countries.

In order to encourage the development and use of these technologies, the new rules aim to provide legal certainty, support innovation, protect consumers and investors and ensure financial stability.

Ensuring financial stability and consumer protection

By regulating public offers of crypto-assets, the rules would ensure financial stability The rules cover transparency, disclosure, authorisation and supervision of transactions. MEPs want the issuing of some of the tokens to be supervised by the European Securities and Markets Authority and the European Banking Authority.

Businesses dealing with crypto-assets will have to better inform consumers about risks, costs and charges.

Parliament also adopted rules in March 2022 about the use of distributed ledger technologies, such as blockchain, for the trade of crypto-assets. Such technologies enable the recording of interactions and transfer of crypto-assets. The goal of this legislation is to encourage the development of solutions for trading in crypto-assets, while preserving a high level of financial stability, transparency and market integrity.

Reducing crypto-currencies’ carbon footprint

To reduce the high carbon footprint of crypto-currencies, MEPs are asking the Commission to prepare new rules to include any crypto-asset mining activities that contribute substantially to climate change in the classification system for sustainable activities.

Preventing the use of crypto-money for criminal activities
In April 2022, Parliament agreed to start negotiations with EU countries on rules that would allow the tracing and identification of transfers of crypto-assets, to prevent their use in money laundering, terrorist financing and other crimes.

Dealing with tax evasion and tax avoidance
In October 2022, Parliament called for EU countries to better coordinate on taxing crypto assets, saying that they must be subject to fair, transparent and effective taxation, but that authorities should consider a simplified tax treatment for occasional or small traders and small transactions. Members said blockchaincould facilitate efficient tax collection.

What are crypto-assets, cryptocurrencies, tokens and stablecoins?

Crypto-assets

Crypto-assets are digital assets that can be used as a means of exchange or for investments. Unlike traditional banking, there is no need for a central register - they are based on distributed ledger technology that enables transactions to be recorded securely by a network of computers. They are private; not issued or guaranteed by a central bank or public authority. "Crypto" in their name hints at security - they are secured with cryptography.

Cryptocurrencies

The first crypto-assets were bitcoins, introduced in 2008 as a cryptocurrency - a payment method alternative to central bank-issued currencies. By 2020, there were 5,600 different cryptocurrencies with an estimated global value of €250 billion (still a relatively small share of the value of all money). This generation of crypto-assets is generally not backed with assets that hold intrinsic value and their value is often quite volatile, which limits their practical use, turning them into a form of risky investment rather than a useful currency.

Tokens and stablecoins

Tokens are newer crypto-assets; they are a digital representation of interests or rights to certain assets. They are typically issued to raise capital for new entrepreneurial projects or start-ups.

The introduction of new products such as stablecoins that could be a more stable payment method as their value is backed by real assets brings new possibilities for innovation and use on a larger scale. With that, larger threats appear.

Ref.: 20220324STO26154
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