The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →“EU crypto regulations” mainly means the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), Regulation (EU) 2023/1114. It is the EU-wide rulebook for crypto-assets, the firms that issue them and the firms that provide services around them, where those assets are not already covered by other EU financial-services law. Its general rules have applied since 30 December 2024. The transition period for existing providers ended on 1 July 2026.
How MiCA defines a crypto-asset
Article 3(1)(5) of MiCA defines a crypto-asset as “a digital representation of a value or of a right that is able to be transferred and stored electronically using distributed ledger technology or similar technology”. The test has three parts: the thing represents a value or a right, it can be transferred, and it can be stored electronically using distributed ledger technology (DLT) or something similar. A product label does not decide whether it qualifies.
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Who and what MiCA covers
MiCA applies to people, companies and some other undertakings that do any of the following in the EU:
- issue crypto-assets;
- offer crypto-assets to the public;
- seek admission of crypto-assets to trading;
- provide crypto-asset services as a crypto-asset service provider (CASP).
Its rules fall into five groups:
- transparency and disclosure;
- authorisation and supervision;
- organisation and governance;
- protection for token holders and for clients of service providers;
- measures against insider dealing, unlawful disclosure of inside information and market manipulation.
The three token categories
| Category | What defines it |
|---|---|
| Asset-referenced token (ART) | Purports to keep a stable value by referencing another value or right, or a combination of them. These can include official currencies. |
| E-money token (EMT) | Purports to keep a stable value by referencing a single official currency. |
| Other crypto-assets | Everything else MiCA covers, including utility tokens where applicable. These fall under the rules for crypto-assets other than ARTs and EMTs. |
The category determines which requirements apply. To compare two tokens, ask three questions:
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- Does the token aim for price stability?
- What value or right does it reference?
- Does it instead qualify under another EU financial-services regime?
What MiCA does not cover
MiCA is not a rule for every crypto-related activity or every digital asset. It excludes:
- crypto-assets that are unique and non-fungible;
- assets that qualify as specified financial instruments;
- deposits;
- funds, except where they qualify as e-money tokens;
- securitisation positions;
- insurance products;
- pension products or schemes, and social-security schemes.
These are legal classifications. The regulation’s preamble explains that assets already governed by EU financial-services law stay under those frameworks. Calling something an “NFT” does not automatically put it outside MiCA, and calling something a “utility token” does not automatically put it inside. The outcome depends on the asset’s features and the applicable law. This article explains the framework in general terms and is not a classification of any particular token.
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Key dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 2023 | MiCA entered into force. |
| 30 June 2024 | The ART and EMT rules began to apply. |
| 30 December 2024 | The main body of the regulation began to apply. |
| 1 July 2026 | The transitional period for existing CASPs expired across the EU. |
What the end of the transition means for users
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) stated on 17 April 2026: “The MiCA transitional period will officially expire across the EU on 1 July 2026.” Its statement says that after that date, an entity providing crypto-asset services to EU clients without a MiCA licence must cease offering those services.
To check a provider:
- Find the legal entity named in your contract or terms, not just the brand on the app.
- Look that entity up in ESMA’s MiCA register.
- Confirm that it is authorised for the service you are using.
A shared brand does not show that a particular group company is authorised. A non-EU affiliate of an authorised firm is not covered by that authorisation. Compare providers on three points: which legal entity you contract with, whether it is authorised under MiCA, and which service it provides.
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- Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 16,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
- Backup without a seed phrase: Your wallet is copied to 2 backup cards with end-to-end encryption, so there are no words on paper to lose or leak. Keep them in separate places; if one card is lost, the others restore full access. Optional seed phrase for advanced users.
- Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
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