From the U.S. to South Asia, jurisdictions are creating a patchwork of crypto regulatory regimes, making international business harder. Europe, with its bloc-wide Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), is different.
Regulatory Victory: Gemini Receives Digital Asset Service Provider Registration In France
Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, founded by the Winklevoss twins, has been granted crypto registration by the French markets watchdog Autorite des marches financiers (AMF).
According to a recent announcement made by the exchange, this approval allows Gemini to offer its services as a virtual asset services provider in France. The company plans to roll out its products to both retail and institutional clients in the coming weeks.
Gemini Seizes Growth Opportunities In Europe
As announced, Gemini customers in France will gain access to a wide range of cryptocurrencies for trading, as well as “advanced” trading platforms such as ActiveTrader. Institutional clients will also benefit from Gemini eOTC, an electronic over-the-counter trading solution.
Gemini’s regulatory approval in France marks a milestone in the company’s European expansion strategy. According to the exchange’s statement, with a strong sense of regulatory support for the cryptocurrency industry in Europe, Gemini sees growth opportunities in the French jurisdiction.
The founders of Gemini recognized the need for regulatory clarity, which is on the horizon with the European Union (EU) Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). MiCA allows crypto companies to obtain licenses in one EU country and operate across the entire EU.
Interestingly, Gemini chose Ireland as its European headquarters, joining other major US crypto companies that have selected Ireland as their regulatory hub. On this matter, Gillian Lynch, Gemini’s Head of Ireland and EU stated:
We are delighted to welcome customers based in France onto the Gemini platform in the coming weeks as we further expand access to crypto across Europe. France is a global innovation leader and has a vibrant crypto community as showcased by the success of Paris Blockchain Week. We are excited to soon be able to provide French customers with compliant and secure access to the future of finance as we continue on our mission to unlock the next era of financial, creative, and personal freedom
US Crypto Companies Seek Regulatory Haven In Europe
According to a CNBC report, major US crypto companies are increasingly looking to expand their operations in Europe driven by regulatory challenges in the United States.
The crypto industry has faced scrutiny from US regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Gemini and Genesis, a crypto lender, were charged by the SEC last year for allegedly selling unregistered securities. Gemini is contesting the lawsuit, asserting that its interest-bearing products do not qualify as securities.
Per the report, the European Union offers a “more favorable” regulatory environment, and the MiCA regulation provides a framework for companies to operate across EU member states.
While the US has yet to approve comprehensive federal-level crypto regulation, recent developments indicate a growing acceptance of cryptocurrency trade. The SEC’s approval of the first-ever spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is seen as a significant step toward integrating crypto into traditional finance.
Despite initial concerns about market manipulation, the approval of Bitcoin ETFs by the SEC is a positive development for the industry. At the same time, several bills related to crypto regulation are making their way through the US House of Representatives.
Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com
Bank of Spain selects partners for CBDC testing
Cecabank, Abanca and Adhara Blockchain have been chosen from the 24 applications received over the past year.
EU Commission targets X over ‘dissemination of illegal content’
X owner Elon Musk told advertisers to “go f— yourself” on Nov. 29 after many left the social media platform in response to antisemitic content and a report on hate speech.
CZ must stay, Do Kwon to be extradited: Law Decoded
A Seattle district court ruled out CZ’s departure to the UAE, and the Montenegrin justice minister plans to grant the United States request for Do Kwon’s extradition.
French startup Mistral AI closes $415M funding round
The French artificial intelligence startup Mistral AI closed a funding round worth around $415 million as it strives to be the EU’s rival to OpenAI and accelerates the EU AI race.
EU officials reach 'historic' AI regulation deal
The agreement mandates models like ChatGPT and general AI to follow transparency rules before market entry.
Robinhood launches crypto trading services in Europe
All eligible customers in the EU region can access Robinhood for crypto trading services, with over 25 cryptocurrencies available for trade.
France’s 3rd-largest bank, Société Générale, launches euro-pegged stablecoin
The euro-pegged stablecoin will be the first of its kind in the region and will be available to the bank’s customer base for trading use.
Amnesty International head says AI innovation vs. regulation is ‘false dichotomy’
Amnesty’s secretary-general said the EU has a chance to lead with new AI regulations and member states shouldn’t “undermine” the forthcoming AI Act.
European regulator: CASPs should work on protocol interoperability, self-hosted wallets
The European Banking Authority wants to update existing anti-money laundering rules and combat the financing of terrorism for crypto providers.
EU tech coalition warns of over-regulating AI before EU AI Act finalization
A group of 33 businesses and tech companies have signed a joint letter to EU regulators urging them not to over-regulate emerging AI technologies at the cost of innovation.
FTX collapse, Binance’s US settlement provide strong case for MiCA regulations
European Commission policy officer Ivan Keller highlights high-profile centralized exchange shortcomings as key reasons for the implementation of MiCA regulations in Europe.
Italian regulators investigate online AI data scraping
The Italian Data Protection Authority has launched a “fact-finding” probe into the security practices of public and private websites to prevent AI data scraping.
Belgium seeks to reboot EU blockchain infrastructure project
The country’s government plans to accelerate the development of a European blockchain infrastructure during its presidency of the Council of the European Union.
German Parliament member ’staunch opponent’ of digital Euro, all in on Bitcoin
EU lawmakers are anticipating the arrival of the digital euro, though German politician Joana Cotar is pushing back against the currency and fighting in favor of Bitcoin.
EU backs Data Act with clause to shut off smart contracts
The Act, inclusive of a clause necessitating “kill switches” on smart contracts, only now needs approval from the European Council to pass into law.
EU banking watchdog proposes liquidity rules for stablecoin issuers
The proposed guidelines are currently in the public consultation phase for the next three months, and if approved, it will come into effect starting in June 2024.
Survey: 65% of Spaniards aren’t interested in using digital euro
The country’s population doesn’t demonstrate as high a confidence level in the European Central Bank’s digital currency project as the government does, according to the survey.
Spain to implement MiCA six months ahead of July 2026 deadline
The country said EU crypto rules will come into force in December 2025, ahead of the general deadline for implementing MiCA for all 27 member states of the EU.
