The rising popularity of cryptocurrencies has led to new regulations being proposed and, in some cases. implemented in different parts of the world. With each jurisdiction taking a unique approach to the use of these digital currencies, it’s worth digging deeper to see how the regulations vary from one another and how businesses have to stay informed.
The Basics
One of the new law changes currently being considered is in the UK, where a new piece of legislation called the Property (Digital Assets) Bill aims to clarify the use of digital assets in the country. It’s still under review in the House of Lords at the time of writing and, if approved, will confirm that cryptos can be classed as property in England and Wales. This is being done to protect individuals and businesses who use these tokens.
In the US, changes to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approach are expected now that President Donald Trump has promised to adopt a more crypto-friendly regime. The SEC’s case against Ripple has been the highest-profile example of cryptos getting caught up in regulatory issues, with Ripple accused of breaking securities laws by selling the XRP token. It’s not yet been discarded, but the signs are that this conflict is close to being settled.
In Europe, the MiCA framework was introduced at the start of 2025 as a way of regulating areas of digital finance not yet covered by existing legislation. After being agreed upon by its politicians, the EU became the first major region on the planet to bring in a full set of crypto regulations. One of the first areas it’s impacted has been the use of the stablecoin Tether (USDT), which is being de-listed in Europe for failing to meet the new rules.
How Businesses Using Crypto Must Navigate the Evolving Legal Landscape
For individual users, the changing face of cryptocurrency regulations could be a problem, or it could lead to new opportunities arising for them to benefit from digital assets. However, for companies that use cryptos, it adds another layer of regulation for them to navigate safely. The Deloitte report titled “The use of cryptocurrency in business” confirms that over 2,300 US businesses used crypto in 2022, a number which is expected to rise.
In terms of those businesses that need a license to operate, we can see in this list of crypto licenses by Inteliumlaw that there are crypto exchange licenses, crypto wallet licenses, ICO licenses, mining licenses, and crypto casino licenses. Every project needs to be assessed to see if one or more of these licenses is needed. With the regulations varying by region, it’s also important to look at where the company will be carrying out its operations.
A Look at the Future of Crypto Regulations
As crypto regulations mature in different jurisdictions, we can expect to see new rules being put in place. Some may make it easier to own and use digital assets, while others could restrict the activity. What won’t change is the need for businesses to stay up to date with all the changes in this fast-moving industry.
