Cyprus Sets the Clock for Crypto: October 30 Deadline Looms, CASPs Applications Suspended

Cyprus’s
financial regulator is giving crypto-asset service providers a narrow window to
operate under existing national regulations before new EU-wide rules take
effect. The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) announced today
(Thursday) that it will stop accepting notifications from European Economic Area (EEA)
firms for cross-border crypto services on October 30, 2024.

CySEC Sets October 30
Deadline for Crypto Firms Under National Rules

This
deadline comes just two months ahead of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA)
implementation for crypto service providers, set for December 30. Firms that
successfully notify CySEC by the October 30 cut-off will be permitted to
continue their cross-border operations during a transitional period lasting
until July 1, 2026, or until they receive a decision on their MiCA
authorization, whichever comes first.

“Notifications
received after the above Cut-Off Date are unlikely to be assessed before MiCA
comes into application,” the regulator commented in
the official statement. In case the above-mentioned market participants
submit an application for authorization in accordance with MiCAR, they must
inform CySEC immediately whether they are authorized or not during the
transitional period, to proceed with the update of the EEA CASP Register.”

CySEC has
already ceased accepting Crypto-Asset Service Providers
(CASPs) registrations under national rules as
of October 17, 2024, further emphasizing the regulator’s preparation for the
MiCA regime.

Press Release – CySEC will not accept new applications for CASPshttps://t.co/ShIO6Lw8aiΔελτίο Τύπου – Δεν θα αποδέχεται νέες αιτήσεις για ΠΥΚΣ η ΕΚΚhttps://t.co/eAbtQuWvae

— CySEC – Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (@CySEC_official) October 17, 2024

This is another CySEC circular following the June consultation launched by the regulator to gather market views on the proposed fees and reporting requirements under the new EU crypto rules.

EU Crypto Regulations

These
developments in Cyprus are part of a larger trend across the European Union as
member states prepare for the implementation of MiCA. The regulation aims to
create a harmonized crypto regulatory framework across the EU, potentially
reshaping the continent’s digital asset landscape.

MiCA, which officially entered into force on June 29, 2023, aims to create a comprehensive framework for crypto-assets not covered by existing financial services legislation. The regulation is set to be fully implemented in stages, with complete application expected by December 30, 2024.

Crypto-asset
service providers registered in Cyprus are now faced with a clear timeline:

• Submit
  notifications to CySEC by October 30, 2024, if they wish to operate under
  current national rules during the transition period.
• Prepare for
  MiCAR compliance, which becomes applicable on December 30, 2024.
• Obtain
  MiCAR authorization by July 1, 2026, at the latest, to continue operations in
  the EU.

This week, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) addressed the European Commission’s proposal to amend the Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) under the MiCA. In its response, ESMA recognizes the legal constraints highlighted by the Commission and stresses the significance of the policy objectives outlined in the proposal.

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