Coinspeaker
Fidelity to Expand Presence in Europe after MiCA Implementation
Fidelity Investments, one of the leading asset management companies in the United States, plans to establish its presence in Europe through its crypto subsidiary Fidelity Digital Assets.
The unit, launched in November 2018 to offer Wall Street investors the opportunity to buy and sell cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), as well as over-the-counter (OTC) services, currently only caters to customers in the US.
However, the company’s Vice President, Manuel Nordeste, recently stated at the European Blockchain Convention in Barcelona that it is actively exploring opportunities to enable its entry into the EU after the region’s landmark crypto rule becomes effective later in 2024.
“We do have plans to access the EU after MiCA comes into force, and we’re actively exploring the best setup for us to do so,” Nordeste said in an interview.
Fidelity to Explore the Market in Europe for Its Crypto Business
Another top executive at the company confirmed the expansion plans to DL News on October 25, stating that Fidelity Digital Assets is evaluating its moves on how to expand its presence in the EU market post-MiCA implementation.
The company’s interest in European market expansion aligns with its long-term commitment to providing institutional investors with secure and compliant access to cryptocurrencies.
Over the years, Fidelity Investments, managing a whopping $$4.5 trillion in assets, has demonstrated its dedication to the digital asset space through initiatives such as Bitcoin mining and the development of crypto-focused financial products.
The company’s strategic move to explore the EU market coincides with the European Union’s preparations for the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), a comprehensive framework set to standardize regulations for cryptocurrencies across the EU.
A Gateway to Explore the Crypto Industry
The forthcoming MiCA regulation aims to introduce a uniform set of rules and guidelines for crypto assets that currently operate outside the scope of traditional financial regulations. With a focus on enhancing transparency, investor protection, and market stability, MiCA is expected to provide a secure and regulated environment for investors interested in the crypto space.
In April, the European Parliament approved the bill, making it the first region to adopt a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets, with the rule expected to pass next year.
The company’s chief, Nordeste, believes that the introduction of this law will make service providers accountable and offer investors a gateway to explore the crypto industry.
“We certainly see MiCA as a positive development in providing a framework for what institutions and service providers should be doing to remain accountable and to give investors an access point to the asset class in a well-regulated way,” Nordeste said.
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Fidelity to Expand Presence in Europe after MiCA Implementation