4 Experts Predict "MiCA Won't Drown Competition Out – It Will Drive Innovation Further"

The
European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is transforming the
continent’s digital asset landscape, with early impacts already visible in
market shifts and competitive dynamics among the industry.

Are
companies ready for the new regulations? We asked industry representatives and
compliance experts, and the findings are rather grim. While major players will
likely adapt, most smaller firms are still unprepared to operate under the new
rules.

MiCA: “The Next Phase
of Crypto’s Mainstream Adoption”

MiCA
represents the EU’s comprehensive attempt to bring regulatory clarity to the
previously fragmented crypto landscape. The framework introduces stringent
requirements for crypto-asset service providers, issuers, and exchanges
operating within the bloc. While compliance deadlines are staggered throughout
2025, the market is already responding to the new reality, with compliant
players positioning themselves to capitalize on the regulatory certainty.

“This
is undoubtedly a sizable regulatory shift, and I completely recognize that
many feel underprepared,” noted Fiorenzo Manganiello of LIAN Group.
“That said, a robust framework that encourages institutional investors to
place their faith in these assets is exactly what we need right now, and
European players will reap the rewards in the long-term. This is the next phase
of crypto’s mainstream adoption—soon, the markets will reap the benefits.”

“A Tendency for
Mergers and Acquisitions” — Market Consolidation Looms

Industry
experts widely agree that MiCA compliance requirements will likely trigger
significant market consolidation, particularly affecting smaller players in
Eastern European countries where preparedness remains low.

Przemysław
Kral, CEO of zondacrypto, offered a stark assessment of the situation:
“For small players, MiCA compliance requirements might mean increased
market consolidation. We can expect a tendency for mergers and acquisitions.
Other smaller crypto businesses, particularly those with limited resources,
might be forced to quit the EU market as a result of high costs of
compliance.”

MiCA is officially live! 🇪🇺After years of consultation, heated debates, contemplated bitcoin bans, last-minute amendments, and countless votes, MiCA now (actually since Dec 30 2024) officially applies to crypto-asset issuers and service providers in the EU – even if the latter… pic.twitter.com/3ZTH0KjkIC

— Patrick Hansen (@paddi_hansen) January 2, 2025

Kral
further noted that some businesses might transition to more flexible
jurisdictions, potentially driving “migration of some businesses to
outside EU countries with less strict regulations or even without
regulations.”

Quinn
Perrott, co-CEO of TRAction, highlighted specific regional challenges: “EU
firms facing gaps in their infrastructure in relation to MiCA compliance,
particularly regions like Poland, Czechia and Baltic nations who are currently
in fairly relaxed regulatory environments, will need to put in significant
effort towards alignment and compliance with MiCA.”

You may also like: “The Knee on Crypto’s Neck is Lifting”: Hidden Road’s Higgins on MiCA, Industry’s Future

Stablecoin Market Shifts: “The
Direction of Capital Flow”

The
regulatory framework, which took full effect in January 2025, has created a
clear divide between compliant and non-compliant entities, particularly in the
stablecoin market where Circle has gained ground as Tether faces challenges.

The
regulation’s liquid reserve requirements—30% for asset-referenced tokens (ARTs)
and 60% for significant ARTs—have already triggered notable market movements.

“Tether
lost 1.3 billion USD of its market capitalization which might be a sign of
outflow of investors in the face of new regulations. Circle gained 400 million
dollars. It shows the direction of the capital flow into projects perceived as
more compliant with the new regulations,” Kral explained.

EU exchanges started delisting $USDT…$118B Tether company is going to crash?$USDT might fall to $0 even faster than it was with $UST (Terra Luna stable)I researched all the data and the info I found was shockingHere is the story behind Tether company🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/yalfMBrKPd

— symbiote (@cryptosymbiiote) December 26, 2024

Kaiko Head
of Research Anastasia Melachrinos provided additional context on these shifts:
“MiCA-compliant stablecoins, such as Circle’s EURC and Société Générale’s
EURCV, have seen their market share surge to an all-time high of 67%, primarily
due to major exchanges delisting non-compliant stablecoins like Tether’s
EURT.”

Perrott
noted that Circle’s compliance has been a key factor in its growth:
“Circle is the first stablecoin issuer to have complied with MiCA and
having received an electronic money institution status means it is allowed to
issue its stablecoins USDC and EURC in the EU.”

“MiCA
regulations are already leaving their mark on digital asset issuers across the
EU, as some of the most successful crypto players get to grips with the new
guardrails,” added Manganiello. “Just one example is the stablecoin
market upheaval we’re seeing as Circle takes a stab at Tether’s market
share.”

“MiCA Won’t Drown
Competition Out—It’ll Drive Innovation Further”

Despite the
short-term disruption, many industry leaders remain optimistic about MiCA’s
long-term impact on the European crypto sector.

“Once
issuers and exchanges get used to the new normal, I’d argue the stability and
credibility these rules bring will encourage more players to enter the market.
In the long-term, MiCA won’t drown competition out—it’ll drive innovation
further,” Manganiello said.

Kral echoed
this sentiment: “MiCA aims at creating a more stable and secure
environment for consumers and businesses. In the long-term, it is going to lead
to a more sustainable crypto market.

However,
Melachrinos offered a more measured assessment of current market dynamics:
“Despite these changes, overall weekly trading volumes for EUR-backed
stablecoins have remained steady at around $30 million since MiCA’s
implementation, indicating that the market share shifts are mainly due to
compliance-driven delistings rather than increased demand.”

As the
industry continues to adapt to the new regulatory framework, the competitive
landscape will likely continue to evolve. Well-capitalized and compliant
players will be positioned to gain market share while smaller entities face
difficult choices about their future in the European market.

Analysis: Convergence and
Divergence

The experts
converge on key points: MiCA will consolidate the market, favor compliant and
well-capitalized firms, and ultimately enhance stability. However, their tones
differ. Manganiello and Kral are proactive, viewing MiCA as a catalyst for
innovation and growth. Perrott is more cautious, emphasizing the logistical
hurdles, especially for Eastern Europe. Melachrinos, grounded in data, offers a
neutral lens, highlighting shifts without overpredicting outcomes.

The
stablecoin narrative exemplifies this dynamic: all note Circle’s gains and
Tether’s losses, but Manganiello sees it as healthy competition, Perrott as a
compliance triumph, Kral as a capital flow signal, and Melachrinos as a market
share realignment. This suggests MiCA’s impact is multifaceted, hinging on
firms’ readiness and resources.

This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.
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