The EU has given crypto firms an ultimatum: phase out non-compliant stablecoins within three months, with a deadline of January 8 next year. USDT is first in the firing line. ESMA didn’t name it, but everyone knows that’s what they mean.
This has been dragging on for two years. The MiCA framework has been in effect since 2024, yet only a handful are compliant. Tether says it’s “in the process of applying,” but in practice, it keeps selling in Europe as usual. Now regulators have made it crystal clear: if you’re non-compliant, you’re getting delisted. No more stalling.
What’s interesting is that every time regulators sound the alarm on stablecoins, the market panics for a moment, then carries on using them anyway. With a market cap of $85 billion, USDT isn’t something a document can shake. But if the EU really opens this door, other regions will likely follow suit.
This has been dragging on for two years. The MiCA framework has been in effect since 2024, yet only a handful are compliant. Tether says it’s “in the process of applying,” but in practice, it keeps selling in Europe as usual. Now regulators have made it crystal clear: if you’re non-compliant, you’re getting delisted. No more stalling.
What’s interesting is that every time regulators sound the alarm on stablecoins, the market panics for a moment, then carries on using them anyway. With a market cap of $85 billion, USDT isn’t something a document can shake. But if the EU really opens this door, other regions will likely follow suit.