The removal of USDT from EU exchanges stems from the EU's new MiCA regulations. For those unfamiliar, MiCA imposes strict rules on the reserves of stablecoins.
The European Union's new cryptocurrency regulations, known as Markets in Cryptoassets (MiCA), are set to bring significant changes to the crypto landscape. Among these changes is the impending removal of Tether's USDT from European exchanges. This move is a consequence of MiCA's stringent rules on stablecoin reserves, which Tether does not currently fulfill. However, despite this delisting, USDT will not be banned in the EU.
The implications of MiCA on cryptocurrencies, especially stablecoins, have been a subject of discussion among industry figures. Bendik Schei Midtbrok, an analyst at Bitblaze, shed light on this topic in a recent analysis.
According to Midtbrok, MiCA will impose strict rules on the reserves that stablecoins must hold. These regulations aim to ensure the solvency of stablecoins and mitigate the risk of insolvency, especially in times of market stress.
However, Midtbrok pointed out that Tether does not meet these reserve requirements. As a result, crypto exchanges operating within the European Union will be required to withdraw USDT from their platforms.
This restriction will only apply to USDT transactions on MiCA-compliant exchanges. Investors will still be able to hold USDT in their personal wallets and engage in its trade on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), which are not subject to MiCA.
Despite the discussions surrounding USDT, the broader stablecoin market seems to be in strong standing. Currently, Tether's USDT boasts a market capitalization of $138.5 billion, with daily transactions processing around $44 billion. A significant portion, approximately 80%, of this volume originates from Asian markets.
Midtbrok further noted that the value of assets is not solely dependent on the stablecoin used. He explained that the focus should be on how the assets are secured. Whether it's Bitcoin, fiat money, or a stablecoin, an asset that is properly secured will remain safe.
This incident could ultimately decide the long-term fate of the stablecoin market. Tether has previously encountered challenges, including investigations in the United States and other FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) incidents. However, the crypto giant has managed to recover from each setback.
Anticipating the market's recovery by February or March 2025, Midtbrok does not expect this situation to diminish Tether's market dominance. As USDT's market capitalization and demand continue to grow, the analyst believes that the short-term challenges posed by this event may have limited long-term effects.
