TronWeekly

Crypto World News

You are here: Home / Archives for EU

EU

Robinhood Eyes Blockchain Twist to Bring US Stocks to EU Traders

by

  • Robinhood plans to launch a new platform in the European Union that will offer tokenized U.S.-based securities.
  • The platform allows EU users to trade US stocks as tokenized assets with 24/7 market access.
  • Robinhood is considering using the Solana or Arbitrum blockchain to support the tokenization of these securities.

Robinhood is preparing to launch a new European Union platform tokenizing US-based securities using blockchain technology. The company plans to give EU users access to US stocks through tokenized assets, offering 24/7 trading and improved liquidity. Robinhood’s move follows its strong earnings report and recent regulatory progress in Europe.

Robinhood Considers Solana for EU Stocks

Robinhood is now studying the Solana blockchain as a venue to offer tokenized shares of US-listed stocks to its EU clients. The platform can utilize Solana’s ultra-fast infrastructure for continuous round-the-clock trading and reduced transaction costs. Solana’s institutional activity has become a good candidate for Robinhood’s new trading system.

There has been more activity on the Solana blockchain due to BlackRock’s interest and higher on-chain charges. Robinhood could utilize this momentum because Solana’s fast finality and low fees would serve high-frequency trading well. Collaboration between Robinhood and Solana could substantially increase Solana’s transaction volumes and user numbers.

Robinhood is probably assessing Solana’s ecosystem strength, developer community, and protocol stability to ensure a secure environment. According to the EU’s MiCA regulatory framework, the firm aims to provide secure access to tokenized assets. The fact that Robinhood would possibly consider using Solana can do wonders for expediting blockchain adoption in European financial services.

Arbitrum Could Power Robinhood’s EU Platform

Robinhood also evaluates Arbitrum as an option to run its European tokenized stock trading platform. Arbitrum is compatible with Ethereum and scalable, which might assist Robinhood in connecting with users who are looking for cheaper blockchain transactions. The Layer 2 network is engineered to meet the high traffic of smart contracts and asset transfers.

The Arbitrum blockchain is less expensive and executes transactions faster, making it a viable solution for tokenizing and selling US securities. Robinhood might opt for Arbitrum to facilitate the integration of Ethereum-powered financial applications. Arbitrum’s mature developer tools and liquidity access might sway its final decision.

Robinhood continues to capitalize on its expansion plans in the EU by granting a brokerage license in Lithuania. The firm is matching the technology choices with regulatory clarity and infrastructure readiness. Joining forces with Arbitrum, Robinhood would facilitate an accelerated settlement of assets and a flexible stock trading platform for digital stocks.

If successful, Robinhood’s move to tokenise US stocks indicates a forward-thinking push to afford decentralized finance in a regulated European market. The firm aims to offer more access to US equities using blockchain-based assets. By providing tokenized trading, Robinhood can expand its customer base.

EU Launches Crypto CrackDown: Bans Privacy Coins and Anonymous Crypto Accounts Effective 2027

by

  • EU to ban anonymous crypto accounts and privacy coins by 2027
  • Crypto firms face tougher regulations under new AML framework
  • AMLA to supervise major crypto service providers from 2027

The European Union (EU) plans to introduce major Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules by 2027. The regulations target privacy coins and anonymous crypto accounts. The new rules seek to improve transparency and combat fraud in the crypto sector. The AML rules prohibit service providers such as crypto asset firms from holding anonymous accounts or making transactions on privacy-focused cryptocurrencies.

Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR) presents strict compliance standards for financial institutions and crypto-asset service providers (CASPs). EU member states will ban anonymity-oriented crypto such as Monero and Zcash by 2027. The rules aim to establish transparency in crypto transactions so that people can not conceal their identities.

AMLR further mandates the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) to directly supervise CASPs. AMLA will supervise crypto service providers who operate in at least six member states from 2027. The authority will monitor companies that have substantial operations and establish clear supervision thresholds.

EU Enhances Crypto Surveillance

The new regulatory framework, which complements the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), increases surveillance on crypto businesses. The regulatory framework mandates such firms to do mandatory customer due diligence on all transactions above €1,000 ($1,100). This regulation makes it easier to track transactions and prevent money laundering in crypto space.

The EU seeks to strengthen its surveillance on crypto service providers. AMLA will initially supervise 40 crypto firms, with at least one company from each member state. The selected entities must have more than 20,000 customers from the host country or exceed €50 million in transaction volume.

Although the regulatory framework has been established, implementation and delegated acts are still under discussion. The implementation of these regulations will be conducted by the European Banking Authority (EBA). Experts such as Vyara Savova from the European Crypto Initiative (EUCI) have stressed the importance of industry feedback on these acts.

Increased Scrutiny on Crypto-Related Crimes

These regulations come amid increased concerns about the role of crypto in crimes such as money laundering and terrorism financing. The EU seeks to create a secure and transparent financial system to protect consumers and businesses. The EU aims to balance innovation and security in the crypto market. 

These new regulations mark a major step in the EU’s approach to regulating digital assets and creating a robust financial system. The financial regulations could set a global standard in the regulation of digital assets.

Related Reading | Ethereum’s Path to $4,000: Can It Overcome Critical Barriers?

Tether CEO Stresses USDt’s Global Financial Inclusion Amid Efforts to “Kill Tether”

by

  • Tether supports 400M users globally, expanding financial access across emerging markets.
  • USDt holds over $115B in US Treasuries, making the company the 18th largest holder.
  • Tether faces regulatory scrutiny in EU and US, impacting its market operations.

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, addressed mounting challenges to USDt, the world’s leading stablecoin, in a February 25, 2025, X post. He alleged that rival firms pursue a “Kill Tether” agenda, relying on regulatory pressure rather than innovation. With a market capitalization exceeding $142 billion, USDt surpasses Circle’s USD Coin, which is valued at $56 billion. Ardoino highlighted Tether’s role in serving over 400 million users, particularly in emerging markets.

The company’s vast network includes digital remittance platforms and thousands of physical kiosks across Africa and South America. This infrastructure supports financial access and drives USDt’s growth, adding 35 million new wallets each quarter.

Regulatory Pressures and Proposed US Stablecoin Bills

The European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets framework which became effective in late 2024, imposes a hurdle for Tether to operate within EU as its regulation approved listing 10 stablecoin issuers while excluding Tether. Exchanges like Kraken and Crypto.com plan to delist USDt by March 31, 2025, to comply with MiCA rules. This shift forces users to switch to compliant stablecoins, potentially disrupting the company’s European market share.

According to Ardoino, the company holds over $115 billion in US Treasuries, making it the 18th largest holder of these assets. In the US, proposed legislation like the GENIUS Act and STABLE Act aims to regulate stablecoin issuers more closely. Vance Spencer of Framework Ventures noted that these bills might block foreign issuers from accessing US Treasuries. He argued this could weaken the dollar’s global influence. Ardoino agreed, stating that such measures threaten the liquidity USDt provides to developing economies.

The Future of Tether in a Shifting Regulatory Landscape

Ardoino emphasized Tether’s dedication to extending financial services to people who lack access to traditional banking structures. The company focuses its efforts on building infrastructure for USDt expansion by working with communities that lack formal banking services. This approach facilitates payments and remittances, fostering trust in both USDt and the US dollar. Tether’s growth reflects its success in meeting these needs. 

AD 4nXchYF xrDbFUUjNV8bX 4ERNEFO7J 1JCqlaovEnZ0XgQxxS5gbwLIudeyfbPEfkiDPb9MFmD ALLhoIuDdlnAg9GkS3Dl6ns qLkv5adX2Mt5efdrPHJh 7nV9gcMHv78INQEb?key=AcnSWAGb7w18ZFldOCg7oLgJ
Source: X

Despite regulatory setbacks, the company pledges to stand firm against opposition. Ardoino labeled competitors’ tactics as “lawfare,” claiming they endanger vulnerable populations for market dominance. He emphasized that the company’s extensive support network will help it weather these challenges. As stablecoin regulations evolve the industry awaits the outcome of this clash between innovation and oversight.

21Shares Calls for Unified Crypto Rules in UCITS Funds to Boost EU Investment

by

  • 21Shаrеs hаs cаllеd for а unifiеd EU rеgulаtory frаmеwork for crypto ETPs.
  • Currеnt EU rеgulаtions for crypto ETPs vаry аcross countriеs, cаusing confusion for invеstors.
  • A unifiеd frаmеwork would providе clаrity for invеstors аnd еnsurе consistеnt invеstor protеction.

Cryptocurrеncy еxchаngе-trаdеd product (ETP) issuеr 21Shаrеs urgеs Europеаn Union (EU) rеgulаtors to аddrеss inconsistеnciеs in thе currеnt frаmеwork for including digitаl аssеts in invеstmеnt products. Thе compаny аrguеs thаt а unifiеd rеgulаtory аpproаch is еssеntiаl to unlocking its full potеntiаl for Europеаn invеstors.

On Octobеr 7, 21Shаrеs cаllеd on thе Europеаn Sеcuritiеs аnd Mаrkеts Authority (ESMA) to еstаblish а clеаr аnd consistеnt sеt of rulеs for UCITS (Undеrtаkings for Collеctivе Invеstmеnt in Trаnsfеrаblе Sеcuritiеs) funds to incorporаtе crypto аssеts. UCITS funds аrе а populаr invеstmеnt vеhiclе for Europеаn rеtаil invеstors, еncompаssing products likе ETPs аnd еxchаngе-trаdеd funds (ETFs).

Thе currеnt rеgulаtory lаndscаpе in thе EU vаriеs significаntly, with somе countriеs likе Gеrmаny аnd Mаltа pеrmitting crypto holdings within UCITS funds whilе othеrs likе Luxеmbourg аnd Irеlаnd do not. This dispаrity crеаtеs confusion аnd hindеrs invеstor аccеss to digitаl аssеts through rеgulаtеd chаnnеls.

“Thе currеnt pаtchwork of rеgulаtions is crеаting confusion аnd prеvеnting rеtаil invеstors from аccеssing thе full potеntiаl of crypto аssеts,” stаtеd Mаndy Chiu, Hеаd of Finаnciаl Product Dеvеlopmеnt аt 21Shаrеs.

Crypto Regulation Gaps Raise Risks

Thе lаck of а consistеnt аpproаch аcross EU mеmbеr stаtеs rаisеs concеrns аbout invеstor protеction. Invеstors sееking еxposurе to digitаl аssеts mаy bе forcеd to еxplorе unrеgulаtеd аvеnuеs, potеntiаlly incrеаsing risk аnd rеducing trаnspаrеncy. Additionаlly, а unifiеd frаmеwork would providе much-nееdеd clаrity for both rеtаil аnd institutionаl invеstors, аllowing thеm to mаkе informеd dеcisions аbout incorporаting virtuаl currеncy into thеir portfolios.

21Shаrеs еmphаsizеs thе mаturing nаturе of thе digitаl mаrkеt, noting а risе in trаnspаrеncy аnd liquidity thаt pаrаllеls trаditionаl finаnciаl instrumеnts. Mаjor globаl еxchаngеs аnd custodiаns hаvе implеmеntеd robust dаtа rеporting аnd sаfеguаrds, diminishing risks likе hаcking аnd mаrkеt mаnipulаtion. Thеsе аdvаncеmеnts pаvе thе wаy for thе inclusion of digitаl аssеts within UCITS funds through rеgulаtеd ETPs, offеring invеstors а cost-еffеctivе аnd sеcurе mеаns to gаin еxposurе.

Streamlining the Path for Crypto in Europe

21Shаrеs’ cаll to аction comеs аt а pivotаl juncturе. ESMA lаunchеd а consultаtion procеss in Mаy 2024 to rеviеw еligiblе аssеts for UCITS funds, which concludеd in August. Thе rеgulаtor is currеntly еvаluаting thе fееdbаck rеcеivеd аnd formulаting аn аpproаch to potеntiаl chаngеs in thе rеgulаtory frаmеwork.

By еstаblishing clеаr аnd consistеnt guidеlinеs for indirеct crypto еxposurе viа ETPs, ESMA cаn unlock а nеw аvеnuе for Europеаn invеstors to divеrsify thеir portfolios. This movе would bеnеfit invеstors аnd position Europе аs а lеаdеr in finаnciаl innovаtion, аligning it with othеr progrеssivе mаrkеts likе thе Unitеd Stаtеs аnd Hong Kong.

21Shаrеs, а mаjor plаyеr in thе ETP spаcе with ovеr 40 products listеd аcross 11 еxchаngеs. Thеir US-bаsеd spot Bitcoin ETF, co-mаnаgеd with ARK Invеst, аlrеаdy boаsts $2.64 billion in аssеts undеr mаnаgеmеnt, indicаting strong invеstor аppеtitе for rеgulаtеd crypto еxposurе. A unifiеd EU frаmеwork pаvеs thе wаy for furthеr еxpаnsion аnd rеinforcеs Europе’s potеntiаl to bеcomе а globаl hub for crypto innovаtion.

Related Readings | TON Wallet Drainer Shuts Down, Shifts Focus to Bitcoin

European Union Member States Approve Final Text Of Groundbreaking AI Act

by

In a historic move, all 27 member states of the European Union have given their endorsement to the political agreement reached in December 2023, marking a crucial advancement in the regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI). Commissioner for Internal Market of the EU, Thierry Breton, confirmed the unanimous approval, describing the AI Act as a world-first and a milestone in the global approach to AI regulation.

Taking to the social media platform X to share the news, Commissioner Breton emphasized the significance of the AI Act, which is designed as a risk-based strategy to regulate various applications of artificial intelligence. The comprehensive agreement addresses key areas, including the use of AI in government for biometric surveillance, the regulation of AI systems like ChatGPT, and transparency rules required before market entry.

Efforts to translate the agreed-upon positions into a finalized compromise text began following the December political agreement. The culmination of these endeavors resulted in a “coreper” vote on February 2, where the permanent representatives of all member states voted to approve the final text.

The AI Act is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the responsible deployment of AI technologies within the European Union, providing a framework that balances innovation with necessary safeguards. By addressing concerns related to the governmental use of AI, regulating specific AI systems, and establishing transparency guidelines, the EU aims to foster a secure and ethical environment for the development and implementation of artificial intelligence.

European Commission Spearheads Initiatives To Counter Deepfake Proliferation

Amid this groundbreaking development, experts have raised significant concerns about the growing prevalence of deepfake technology. Realistic yet fabricated videos created by AI algorithms trained on online footage have been infiltrating social media, blurring the lines between truth and fiction in public discourse. Margrethe Vestager, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age, underscored the importance of the Friday agreement as a significant step toward the full implementation of the AI Act.

As the European Union embraces this landmark regulatory initiative, it sets a precedent for the global community in addressing the challenges posed by AI, underscoring the need for a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to technology governance.She said:

“Based on a simple idea: The riskier the AI, the greater the liabilities for developers. For example, if used to sort applicants for a job or be admitted to an education program. That’s why the #AI Act focuses on the high-risk cases.”

On Friday, an agreement was reached as France withdrew its objection to the AI Act. Germany, on January 30, also expressed support for the act, following a compromise announcement by Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, Volker Wissing.

The legislative journey for the AI Act is set to progress with a crucial vote by an EU lawmaker committee scheduled for February 13, followed by a subsequent European Parliament vote in March or April. Anticipated to be in effect by 2026, specific provisions are expected to take effect earlier.

To ensure adherence to a set of high-impact foundational models considered to pose systemic risks, the European Commission is taking proactive steps to establish an AI Office. Simultaneously, measures have been unveiled to bolster support for local AI developers, including the enhancement of the EU’s supercomputer network for generative AI model training.

Spain’s Government Has Been Formulating A Bill Mandating The Disclosure Of Crypto Holdings

by

Cryptocurrencies continue to flourish and take over the globe with its charm, however, the illicit activities, as well as tax evasions, have also started to surge. While the crypto market has its own upside, the downside continues to haunt the industry. With tax evasions on the rise, governments of several countries have been making amendments to their existing laws or even coming up with new ones. Spain is the latest country to join the list with its recent disclosure.

Spain Plans Ahead For A Crack Down

With an intention of complying with the demands of the EU, Spain has been working towards the same. The Spanish government recently revealed that it was formulating a bill that would mandate crypto holders to unveil both their holdings as well as gains procured through cryptocurrencies. The government’s spokeswoman, Maria Jesus Montero further suggested that the latest bill was on par with the government’s intention of busting a tax fraud.

The draft for the “anti-fraud law” put forth by the Ministry of Finance was reportedly given a green light by the government. The spokeswoman further added,

“[..]the identification of the holders and the balances that these virtual currencies contribute. It is considered compulsory for people and companies to inform the Tax Agency about this operation.”

While crypto has been upholding decentralization, the latest obligation by the Spanish government could steer away from the former. Furthermore, citizens of the country with currency abroad would also be required to report their holdings.

Back in June, the government commenced its operations pertaining to anti-money laundering which required crypto companies to engage in registration. The EU has been laying out several regulations pertaining to cryptocurrencies. More recently, the Union announced that the European Central Bank was the only one allowed to issue currencies. Platforms like Facebook should not be given the leeway to issue any form of currency.

End Of Libra? European Union Demands Severe Regulations On Stablecoins

by

Even though cryptocurrencies were rolled out to veer away from the shackles of centralized institutions, over the years several authorities from across the world have attempted to regulate the crypto industry. The members of the European Union seem to be the latest ones to be making news over the same.

‘Only ECB Is Allowed To Issue A Currency’

In a recent meeting hosted in Berlin, the members of the European Union urged the European Commission to put forward sever regulations for asset-backed cryptocurrencies like stablecoins. The finance ministers of France, Italy, Spain, Germany as well as the Netherlands, released a joint statement refraining the issuance and operations of stablecoins in the bloc. The committee further suggested that these assets shouldn’t be allowed to operate until there is clarity in legality and regulatory hurdles.

Olaf Scholz, the German Finance Minister stated,

“We all agree that it’s our task to keep financial market stable and to ensure that what is a task for states remains a task for states.”

Scholz also suggested that the authorities should move forward with a strict strategy. Banning activities carried out by private sectors in case of failure to meet regulatory conditions should also be part of the authorities’ approach, the German minister added. The European Commission will reportedly put forth regulatory proposals within this month.

French Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire shared similar thoughts and said,

“We’re waiting for the Commission to issue very strong and very clear rules to avoid the misuse of cryptocurrencies for terrorist activities or for money laundering.”

Back when the social media giant, Facebook was making efforts to roll out the Libra project, it was subject to intense scrutiny by authorities all around the globe. While the project was constantly delayed and is currently on hold, the latest news might have a negative impact on the deployment of the project. Speaking about the same, the French Minister professed,

“The central bank, I mean the ECB, is the only one to be allowed to issue a currency. And this point, it’s something that cannot be jeopardized or weakened by any kind of project including the so-called Libra project.”