Financial innovation and the new EU crypto rules

I am the author of the article “Wird Krypto jetzt safe?” (“Is crypto safe now?”) in the third-quarter issue of Business Punk, a business magazine in Germany for founders and decision-makers. Business Punk runs it in Anlage Punk, the magazine’s section on finance and investing. Since January 2026 I write for the magazine. After two articles on crypto topics in the previous issues, this one covers MiCA, the new EU rules for crypto-assets.

Michael Wutzke with the third-quarter 2026 issue of Business Punk, which carries his article on MiCA.

About Business Punk

Business Punk is a well-known German business magazine on startups, leadership, innovation and business culture. Gruner + Jahr launched it in 2009, and since 2025 the independent Business Punk GmbH has published it. The magazine sells more than 41,000 copies per issue, audited by IVW. It also appears as a digital edition, and business-punk.com has about 1.2 million page views a month. Anlage Punk runs in every issue and four times a year as a standalone magazine.

What MiCA is

The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) is one set of rules for crypto-assets across the EU. German supervisors often call it MiCAR (MiCA Regulation). It is meant to make the market more transparent, protect investors better and make dubious providers easier to spot. My article asks whether crypto becomes a safe and serious asset class because of it.

The article “Wird Krypto jetzt safe?” in the Anlage Punk section of Business Punk.

What has changed since July 1, 2026

Since July 1, 2026, crypto exchanges and other crypto-asset service providers need a license. They must meet clear requirements for their organization, their capital and the handling of client funds. Consumers can now see which providers work to European standards and are supervised. ESMA publishes a register of licensed providers.

The duty to inform grows as well. Providers must explain products, costs and risks in plain terms, disclose conflicts of interest and handle complaints in an orderly way. MiCA also sets rules for the custody of crypto-assets and against market abuse. When a provider advises clients, it must check whether a product fits their experience, their risk tolerance and their ability to bear losses.

MiCAR in Germany

In Germany, BaFin grants the MiCAR license and supervises crypto-asset service providers. The national rules for this are in the Crypto Markets Supervision Act (Kryptomärkteaufsichtsgesetz, KMAG).

What MiCA does not do

In some areas the crypto market moves closer to the regulated securities business. MiCA does not offer comparable protection. Crypto-assets can still swing sharply in price or lose their whole value. Neither deposit insurance nor investor compensation covers them.

Not every crypto product falls under the new rules either. Even a licensed provider can offer products that MiCA does not cover.

How to recognize a serious provider

Investors should still check carefully where they invest. What counts is an EU license, a complete imprint, a named contracting party and clear information on fees, custody and risks. Promises of high returns, artificial time pressure and contact through unknown channels remain clear warning signs.

My conclusion

MiCA can make the crypto market more professional and more transparent. Black sheep should stand out faster, and serious providers gain from uniform rules. A risky investment does not become a safe one, though.

For Business Punk I write about blockchains and digital assets in financial services. I am also a co-founder of Finance Loop, the community for emerging technologies in finance. Several of its events deal with MiCA. Finance Loop also supports the MiCA training program of EBS Executive School, a MiCAR seminar in Germany that EBS Executive School runs with the law firm HEUKING in Oestrich-Winkel.

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