MiCA Regulations: Tether CEO Criticizes Bank Deposit Requirement for Stablecoins

As a seasoned crypto investor with a deep understanding of the industry’s intricacies, I find Paolo Ardoino’s concerns regarding the MiCA regulations, particularly the requirement for stablecoin issuers to hold reserves in bank deposits, quite valid. The potential risks associated with large uninsured bank deposits were vividly illustrated by the recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank.


The CEO of Tether, Paolo Ardoino, has voiced his opposition to the impending Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations, specifically taking issue with the provision that mandates stablecoin creators to maintain their reserves in traditional bank accounts.

As the cryptocurrency sector gears up for the enforcement of these regulations beginning June 30th, numerous exchanges including Binance are making adjustments to their European operations in response.

Tether CEO’s Concerns with MiCA’s Regulations

Ardano has voiced apprehensions regarding the MiCA regulation, specifically the requirement for stablecoin reserves to consist of 60% bank deposits. He argues that this provision may add complexity and amplify risks for stablecoins. Notably, the European Central Bank (ECB), which oversees Euro area banks, only insures bank deposits up to €100,000. This is a trivial amount compared to the market capitalization of notable stablecoins like Tether’s USDt, which currently hovers around $110 billion.

Ardoino emphasizes that his warnings are prompted by recent incidents, such as the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, which revealed the potential risks for large uninsured bank deposits. In light of these events, he shifts the conversation towards the safety of stablecoins like Tether’s USDT, which are backed predominantly by U.S. Treasury notes rather than bank deposits.

Based on Ardoino’s perspective, if a bank collapses, deposits are safeguarded by bankruptcy laws. Such legal protections could pose challenges for stablecoin issuers, especially Tether, which predominantly invests in short-term U.S. government securities. These investments serve as cash equivalents that can be quickly liquidated during crises, ensuring the recovery of the assets and enhancing overall security.

Responses from Binance and the Crypto Community

As a crypto investor, I’m keeping a close eye on the upcoming deadlines for major exchanges like Binance, OKX, and Kraken as they prepare to assess their European offerings. Binance has recently announced that it will restrict the use of certain unauthorized stablecoins starting from June 30th, aligning with the MiCA regulation’s implementation timeline.

Under upcoming MiCA rules some stablecoins will face restrictions as unauthorized stablecoins.

Starting March 31, 2023, Binance will not remove any unauthorized stablecoins from its spot market. However, access to these coins will be restricted for European Economic Area (EEA) users in specific products like Launchpool and Earn. Binance intends to put forth a proposal regarding the handling of such stablecoins in due course.

— Binance (@binance) June 3, 2024

In the cryptocurrency industry, there’s a prevailing pattern as exchanges prepare for new regulations while minimizing disruptions for their European user base. Binance’s approach to limiting certain features instead of outright delisting coins demonstrates their adaptability in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.

During an interview, Tether’s CEO, Ardoino, pointed out that the deposit requirements under MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) could limit access to stablecoins for European users. According to him, this regulatory change might make stablecoins less accessible to the more advanced and liquid European user base. This poses a risk to their overall stability and dependability.

Based on his perspective, this development could signify a setback for Europe due to potential negative consequences for European investors and users in terms of accessibility and safety of stablecoins.

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2024-06-04 23:08