THE BLOCKCHAIN AND VIRTUAL CURRENCIES WORKING GROUP

The Blockchain and Virtual Currencies Working Group (WG) is a group of industry representatives; the WG is registered in the European Transparency register under number: 635727423661-17

The Members of the Blockchain and Virtual Currencies Working Group (WG) adhere to the following Ethical Guidelines.

OUR MEMBERS

OUR AIMS

Educational/working with European regulators

We foster an industry-led conversation
We help to shape the regulation in a way that does not stifle innovation
We work with regulators; information sharing is fundamental to achieve balanced and forward looking regulation

To monitor

Which regulatory initiatives concern us?

To influence the EU regulators work

Can we help in drafting the content of such initiatives?

To advice internally on EU matters

Tool for each WG member General Counsel/ Compliance officer

OUR POSITIONING

Engage with:

The European Commission
The European Central Bank
The European Banking Authority
European Parliament
European Presidency of the Union
Key Member States Permanent Representations in the Council WG on Financial Services

In terms of AML policy:

EU AML rules shall be applied to digital currency exchange platforms equally
EU AML should not be applied to non-custodian software wallet providers
The WG wishes a risk based approach

Means:

Meetings with key EU regulators
Membership of the PSMEG (Payment Systems Market Expert Group)
Position papers on digital currencies and the blockchain addressed to the regulators

Regulation if appropriate can:

Increase the credibility of industry
Increase customer confidence
Allow for a level playing field

IN THE NEWS TODAY

ESAs publication of their roadmap towards the designation of CTPPs under DORA, 18 February 2025

ESAs publication of their roadmap towards the designation of CTPPs under DORA, 18 February 2025

bcwg-admin2025-03-05T17:10:38+01:00February 18th, 2025|Tags: CTPPs, DORA, EBA, EIOPA, ESAs, ESMA, Oversight Framework, Roadmap|

On the 18th of February 2025, the European Supervisory Authorities (the European Banking Authority, the European Insurance and [...]

ESMA launch of its consultation on the criteria to assess the knowledge and competence of CASPs’ staff under MiCAR, 17 February 2025

ESMA launch of its consultation on the criteria to assess the knowledge and competence of CASPs’ staff under MiCAR, 17 February 2025

bcwg-admin2025-03-04T16:03:32+01:00February 17th, 2025|Tags: CASPs, Competence, Consultation, ESMA, Knowledge, MiCAR, Staff|

On the 17th of February 2025, the European Securities and Markets Authority launched a consultation on the criteria [...]

European Commission adoption of the Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing DORA with regard to RTS specifying elements related to threat-led penetration tests under Art. 26(11) of DORA, 13 February 2025

European Commission adoption of the Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing DORA with regard to RTS specifying elements related to threat-led penetration tests under Art. 26(11) of DORA, 13 February 2025

bcwg-admin2025-03-03T12:28:57+01:00February 13th, 2025|Tags: Delegated Regulation, DORA, European Commission, RTS, Threat-led penetration testing|

On the 13th of February 2025, the European Commission adopted the Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing DORA with regard to RTS specifying [...]

EBA amendment of its Guidelines on ICT and security risk management measures under DORA, 11 February 2025

EBA amendment of its Guidelines on ICT and security risk management measures under DORA, 11 February 2025

bcwg-admin2025-02-14T17:25:45+01:00February 11th, 2025|Tags: DORA, EBA, Guidelines, ICT risk management, Security risk management|

On the 11th of February 2025, the European Banking Authority amended its Guidelines on ICT and security risk [...]

EBA publication of its Opinion on the amendments proposed by the European Commission to the EBA draft RTS on conflicts of interest for issuers of ARTs under MiCAR, 5 February 2025

EBA publication of its Opinion on the amendments proposed by the European Commission to the EBA draft RTS on conflicts of interest for issuers of ARTs under MiCAR, 5 February 2025

bcwg-admin2025-02-11T17:09:36+01:00February 5th, 2025|Tags: Amendments, ART issuers, Conflict of Interest, Draft RTS, EBA, European Commission, MiCAR, Opinion|

On the 5th of February 2025, the European Banking Authority published an Opinion in response to the amendments proposed [...]

ESMA publication of its supervisory briefing to provide guidance on MiCA best practices, 31 January 2025

ESMA publication of its supervisory briefing to provide guidance on MiCA best practices, 31 January 2025

bcwg-admin2025-02-25T12:49:18+01:00January 31st, 2025|Tags: Best practices, CASPs, ESMA, MiCAR, Outsourcing, Suitability of personnel, Supervisory briefing|

On the 31st of January 2025, the European Securities and Markets Authority published a supervisory briefing with the aim to align practices across [...]