As a seasoned crypto investor, I’ve witnessed firsthand the volatility and uncertainty that comes with investing in this space. The recent announcement by Uphold to delist six stablecoins, including Tether (USDT), due to the upcoming MiCA regulation in the European Union, has raised concerns about the future of USDT in the region and beyond.


Uphold, a well-known cryptocurrency exchange based in New York, recently made public its decision to remove six stablecoins from its platform in preparation for the impending MiCA regulation in the European Union. Among those being delisted is Tether (USDT), which is the largest of the group.

As a researcher, I can tell you that my findings support the implementation of the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation starting June 30, 2024. Enacted into law in May 2023 and partially enacted a month later, this legislation mandates comprehensive regulatory compliance for all digital assets.

However, it does raise concerns about the future of USDT in the region.

Implications of MiCA Regime on Tether (USDT)

Based on the remarks of Tim Wang, the COO of Elixir, there’s a possibility that brief market impacts could arise from USDC and USDT’s prominence in decentralized trading and liquidity markets on major exchanges in the United States.

In an interview with CryptoPotato, an executive from Elixir expressed that a middle-term approach would probably be required unless the EU chooses to disengage completely from supporting cryptocurrency markets.

As a crypto investor, I’ve observed that US dollar-backed stablecoins and assets continue to dominate the collateral landscape in the crypto markets. In contrast, Euro stablecoins have yet to make a significant impact and gain widespread adoption.

Under the new EU regulations, fiat-backed stablecoins and e-money tokens with significant usage will be subject to rigorous controls set by the European Banking Authority (EBA), based on seven measurable and descriptive benchmarks rather than relying on national supervision.

The MiCA rule mandates that each unit of fiat-backed stablecoins be matched with an equivalent amount of liquid reserves. It also requires the segregation of these reserve assets from other operational funds, and forbids the use of algorithmic mechanisms in stablecoins.

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed that Uphold isn’t the only exchange facing pressure. In order to maintain compliance with regulations and avoid potential regulatory issues, major exchanges like Kraken, Binance, and OKX have adjusted their stablecoin listing policies.

Stablecoin Hegemony At Play

As a crypto investor, I recognize that the impending MiCA regulations in the EU have the potential to establish a significant precedent shaping regulatory frameworks not only within Europe but also in other major markets such as the US. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that the specific provisions concerning stablecoins might carry less weight compared to the broader implications of these regulations for the crypto industry as a whole.

As a regulatory analyst, I’ve observed that while European and American frameworks like GDPR and CCPA have shaped data protection regulations, stablecoin regulation is expected to be more intricate due to the growing political significance of “stablecoin dominance.” This was highlighted by former US President Donald Trump’s meetings with Bitcoin miners, indicating ongoing debates about future mining policies in the country.

“This can easily become the same case as with USD vs other currency-denominated stablecoins.”

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2024-06-23 23:00