YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com)
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has warned that the crypto market could create broader problems for financial stability. Natasha Cazenave, executive director at ESMA, gave a statement on April 8 to the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.
She said,
“We cannot rule out that future sharp drops in crypto prices could have knock-on effects on our financial system.”
At present, crypto assets account for only 1% of global financial assets. But Cazenave noted the rising ties between the crypto market and traditional finance.
She also pointed to the situation in the United States, where the crypto market is growing faster, especially through financial products such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Financial Stability at Risk as Crypto Prices Drop
Cazenave said even small crypto market disruptions could lead to bigger problems.
“Turmoil, even in small markets, can originate or catalyze broader stability issues in our financial system,” she said.
She listed the $1.4 billion Bybit hack and the FTX collapse in November 2022 as examples of major events that affected the crypto market. She added that sudden drops in crypto prices could have effects beyond digital assets.
The crypto regulation framework remains limited. Cazenave said that due to fast changes in the crypto market, regulators must continue monitoring closely. She added,
“Crypto-assets markets evolve quickly, in an often unpredictable manner.”
MiCA Regulation Marks a Step, But Risks Remain
The European Union launched the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation in 2023. The MiCA regulation aims to set basic rules for crypto trading, asset protection, and company obligations. Cazenave called the MiCA regulation a “breakthrough” but also said that “there is no such thing as a safe crypto-asset.”
Although MiCA regulation now covers many providers, ESMA may propose more rules. These would focus on new risks tied to crypto market activity and rising involvement from financial firms.
Cazenave said that over 95% of European banks are not involved in the crypto market. This contrasts with the United States, where some banks are testing crypto-related services.
However, retail crypto adoption is rising across Europe. Between 10% and 20% of individual investors in the region now hold digital assets, according to ESMA. This level is close to the U.S. rate, which falls between 15% and 28% of the population.
The growing exposure among retail investors has raised new questions about financial stability and whether a crash in crypto prices could impact household wealth or investor behavior.
Crypto Regulation to Expand as Market Evolves
While MiCA regulation is in place, Cazenave said ESMA would continue watching the crypto market. This includes following trends like stablecoin growth, new financial products, and ties between crypto assets and stock exchanges.
She said there may be a need for more rules to protect the financial system if the crypto market keeps expanding. ESMA is now examining new data and reports to track market behavior and emerging risks.
The warning from Cazenave came after both crypto prices and stock markets posted sharp losses in recent weeks. These drops followed policy changes linked to trade tariffs under the Trump administration.
Cazenave did not link these moves directly to the crypto market, but noted that external shocks could affect multiple markets at once, especially when investor confidence is low.