OKX removes USDT pairs in Europe as new stablecoin regulations loom

6 months ago

Crypto speech OKX is reportedly delisting Tether (USDT) pairs successful the EU and volition lone enactment USDC and Euro-based stablecoin pairs, according to a message sent to a lawsuit connected March 18.

The determination comes days aft the EU released draft method standards related to stablecoins, which are acceptable to travel into effect from June.

USDT nary longer supported

The crypto speech turned disconnected USDT trading pairs successful the user’s portion and said, “only EUR and USDC trading pairs volition beryllium disposable for spot trading” successful the future.

According to the alleged OKX message, the speech plans to adhd 30 caller trading pairs to counteract the delistings. It added that “regulatory requirements” were the origin for variations successful token listings crossed antithetic regions.

OKX has yet to contented a nationalist connection astir the delisting, and CryptoSlate was incapable to corroborate whether the USDT pairs person been removed arsenic of property time.

The exchange’s support page — past updated connected March 15 — indicates that USDT trading pairs are inactive disposable successful the European Economic Area (EEA).

MiCA rules are looming

There’s increasing chatter connected societal media suggesting that the caller removal of definite listings is tied to stablecoin regulations outlined successful the Markets successful Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory scheme.

EU authorities introduced projected guidelines for stablecoin issuer grievance procedures connected March 14. While revising however complaints are reported whitethorn look minor, the thrust for further regulations successful the aboriginal months of 2024 could airs challenges for exchanges trying to comply with the caller standards.

The MiCA authorities successful the EU is anticipated to beryllium afloat operational by the extremity of 2024. However, the stablecoin regulations volition beryllium implemented starting June 2024 — up of the implicit legislative package.

Under the caller rules, lone Electronic Money Institutions (EMI) and recognition institutions are allowed to contented stablecoins — a regularisation that besides involves the existing EU Electronic Money Directive (EMD).

Circle and USDC are successful a beardown presumption to conscionable those requirements arsenic the institution applied for an EMI licence successful December 2023 aft announcing its conditional registration successful France. It explicitly stated that those efforts would assistance it comply with the EU’s Markets successful Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime.

MiCA rules besides see a seven-point adoption threshold and further regulatory requirements, according to a recent blog station from Circle.

The station OKX removes USDT pairs successful Europe arsenic caller stablecoin regulations loom appeared archetypal connected CryptoSlate.

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