REGULATORY RADAR BCB GROUP
Charting a path As calls grow for deeper regulatory co-operation between global policymakers, BCB Group is assisting clients to navigate fragmented approaches.
T he worlds of traditional banking and crypto were once very far apart, but the introduction of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation in Europe at the start of 2025 changed that. While MiCA was formally approved by the European Parliament back in 2023, the phased implementation of the new rules meant new rules governing stablecoins didn’t come into force until July 2024, with broader crypto service provider regs taking effect in January 2025. The arrival of MiCA has encouraged banks to offer a broader set of services to crypto natives, often through partnerships with market specialists
such as BCB Group. In a series of public announcements, bank executives have praised the unified and clear regulatory framework that MiCA provides, offering established players an opportunity to expand their crypto services while staying mindful of traditional banking compliance requirements. Growing interest Speaking to BLINC magazine at this year’s Paris Blockchain Week in April, Claire Barratt, BCB Group’s Head of Strategy and Partnerships, said the number of enquiries she has been fielding relating to bank partnerships has been steadily increasing in recent months.
“With MiCA, there have been interesting conversations around how that will level the playing field across Europe,” she explained. “Will the banks feel more comfortable servicing European crypto companies in the future as a result of MiCA? That seems likely.” Having previously worked within global banking institutions such as Wells Fargo and Commerzbank, Barratt understands the regulatory frameworks that traditional banks work to, and is keen to underscore that standards are as high today as they have ever been. She believes that the changing global regulatory appetite for digital assets, as evidenced by the MiCA
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