Boerse Stuttgart Digital Custody has made history as the first German crypto asset service provider to secure full approval under the EU’s new Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
The license, issued by Germany’s BaFin on January 17, positions the firm to offer regulated services across Europe, targeting banks, brokers, and asset managers. This achievement underscores the growing push for compliance and transparency within the crypto industry, as major players adapt to evolving regulatory standards.
The MiCA framework, which became fully effective on December 30, 2024, aims to harmonize crypto regulations across the EU, fostering greater market stability and consumer protection. While widely regarded as a landmark in crypto regulation, it has sparked concerns about potential overreach.
Retail investors, in particular, may face stricter requirements for data disclosure, increased surveillance, and additional tax liabilities. Legal actions against non-compliant blockchain protocols are also expected as governments enforce the new rules during MiCA’s initial rollout.
This development also signals a broader shift in how the crypto ecosystem interacts with traditional financial systems. By aligning with regulatory frameworks like MiCA, crypto companies aim to build trust with institutional clients and governments, paving the way for a more secure and mainstream adoption of digital assets.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has revealed that he pushed back against pressure from a Western European government to censor political content on the messaging app in the lead-up to Romania’s presidential election.
Michael Burry, the contrarian investor made famous by The Big Short, is once again shaking up markets with a bold repositioning of his hedge fund’s portfolio — this time, leaning heavily into pessimism.
Blockchain development giant Alchemy is expanding its footprint in the Solana ecosystem through the acquisition of DexterLab, a high-performance infrastructure provider trusted by firms like Google, Chainstack, and the Solana Foundation.
Tensions have escalated in the Cardano community following serious accusations against its founder, Charles Hoskinson, regarding the alleged mishandling of over 300 million ADA tokens.