MiCA architect says EU should prioritize tokenization over DeFi rules

Written by Zoltan Vardaistaff writerReviewed by Yohan Yunstaff writerWritten by Zoltan Vardaistaff writerReviewed by Yohan Yunstaff writerMiCA architect says EU should prioritize tokenization over DeFi rulesLatest NewsPublishedJun 9, 2026One of MiCA's architects said he sees no need to regulate DeFi as the European Commission gathers feedback on the framework's future.The European Union should focus on a broader digital asset framework covering real-world assets and tokenization instead of regulating decentralized finance through a second version of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), an adviser at the European Commission said.The European Commission launched a public consultation on MiCA in May, seeking feedback through Aug. 31. "I do not believe that [MiCA] is outdated now. That’s my personal opinion, but it does not matter. That’s why we have this consultation,” Peter Kerstens told Cointelegraph during a fireside chat at WAIB Summit Monaco 2026.Kerstens, one of MiCA's architects, said that the feedback received during the European Commission's current review period will help shape the bloc's next regulatory steps.MiCA is approaching the end of its transitional period on July 1, after which crypto asset service providers will be required to hold a MiCA license or stop servicing EU clients.Related: Crypto firms face July 1 EU cutoff as MiCA grace period endsEU doesn’t need to regulate DeFi, says MiCA architectDecentralized finance (DeFi) protocols were included among the emerging risk areas examined in the consultation, even though they are largely outside MiCA's current scope.An excerpt from the public consultation on the MiCA review. Source: European CommissionHowever, Kerstens said regulating DeFi would be difficult because laws can be applied to people and organizations, but not directly to computer networks. He said lawmakers would need a new legal doctrine to regulate non-entities.Kerstens added that he doesn’t see a need to regulate DeFi, whic…

MiCA architect says EU should prioritize tokenization over DeFi rules

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