dAPP) released on 14th October, which suggests a four Pillar framework for legislative measures.

Coinbase releases an exposé on the regulatory shortcomings of crypto-currencies as another part of their push to lobby for tougher industry legislation in the USA. It comes off the back of their suitably named ‘Digital Asset Policy Proposal’ (

The message to policy makers via the dAPP seems overwhelmingly to be ”do the work!”. In short, the crypto economy cannot be shoe-horned into legislation which currently governs financial assets.  This follows the rather feeble attempt in August to add an amendment to the definition of “broker” in the Senate infrastructure bill. The obvious lack of effort to understand the dynamics and needs of the space led to dismay across the crypto community.

The European Union approaches the matter differently. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the inter-governmental body setting international standards for anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing. Recognising the potential for the technology behind a global borderless crypto-currency to arbitrage regulatory systems, FATF added digital and virtual assets to its global standards, rather than following a country-by country approach. In addition, the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) proposal is a project to create a single market for capital in Europe called ‘the capital markets union' and will establish pan-European-standards for crypto-assets. 

Of course, diehard maximalists do not wish to have any interference at all from the likes of FATF or anyone else. However, adequate regulation would seem to be the key to widespread adoption of a blockchain financial system by unlocking the door for the big players to enter. Speaking from a place of experience, the fiduciary services industry has undergone transformative regulation over the last two decades. Whilst some did not welcome the changes, many breathed a sigh of relief. The establishment of a level playing field resulted in a shake-out of questionable business and improved the quality and value of the services being performed, setting a strong base for industry growth.