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Woofun AI reports that the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs has formally urged the European Commission to evaluate regulatory frameworks for crypto lending, borrowing, staking, non-fungible tokens, and decentralized finance. This directive emerges from an own-initiative resolution drafted by Belgian Member of the European Parliament Johan Van Overtveldt, which was tabled Friday for a plenary vote scheduled for July 7. The resolution does not possess the power to amend the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation or create new binding legal obligations, yet it will establish the Parliament's official stance on digital asset policy if adopted. The document explicitly calls for the promotion of tokenization across financial services and the assessment of whether additional crypto activities fall under the existing MiCA scope.
The recommendations signal a notable shift in the legislative approach toward stablecoins, particularly those denominated in the euro. This pivot occurs shortly after Agustín Carstens, the former general manager of the Bank for International Settlements and a longstanding critic of cryptocurrency, softened his public position regarding stablecoin utility. The report actively welcomes the development of euro-denominated stablecoins under the MiCA framework, viewing them as essential instruments to support the bloc's payment sector. Proponents argue that these assets can complement tokenized commercial bank deposits and wholesale central bank digital currencies while facilitating faster and more cost-effective cross-border transactions. Broader adoption is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of EU financial markets and reinforce the international standing of the euro.
This strategic alignment reflects a broader evolution in the committee's vision for Europe's digital money ecosystem, moving away from the restrictive measures proposed during previous banking crises. In 2023, Van Overtveldt had advocated for tighter restrictions on cryptocurrencies following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and Silvergate Bank. That crisis was inextricably linked to stablecoin stability, as Circle, the issuer of USDC, held approximately $3.3 billion in reserves at Silicon Valley Bank, leading to a temporary loss of the dollar peg. The current report reframes this narrative, suggesting that regulated euro-denominated stablecoins can mitigate such risks while enhancing systemic resilience. On Tuesday, the committee further backed legislation for a digital euro, asserting that public and private forms of digital money should coexist rather than compete within the financial landscape.
The final version of the report underwent months of negotiations and amendments by ECON members following Van Overtveldt's initial draft presentation in February. The earlier iteration focused heavily on the existing MiCA framework, specifically addressing stablecoin classifications and ensuring legal certainty for multi-issued stablecoins. The committee-approved text now emphasizes the consistent application of MiCA across all member states to preserve a level playing field for crypto firms. It explicitly warns national governments against introducing requirements that exceed MiCA standards, as such fragmentation could severely damage the bloc's digital asset industry. This push for harmonization is critical as the regulatory landscape matures and market participants seek clarity on compliance obligations.
The European Commission is currently engaged in a comprehensive review of MiCA, having launched a public consultation in May to gather feedback on potential expansions. This inquiry seeks to determine whether the regulatory framework should be extended to cover decentralized finance, staking, lending, non-fungible tokens, and tokenized financial assets. The consultation also aims to reopen the debate regarding the regulation's current ban on interest-bearing stablecoins, a contentious issue for market participants.
Woofun AI data shows that these regulatory discussions are taking place against a backdrop of impending deadlines, as MiCA's transitional period concludes on July 1. Following this date, crypto asset service providers must generally hold authorization under the regulation to continue operating legally across the European Union. The convergence of these legislative actions suggests a decisive move toward a more integrated and regulated digital asset environment in Europe.