The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) represents a landmark step towards a harmonised and robust regulatory framework for crypto-assets across the European Union. It promises to end years of fragmented national regimes and create a single, reliable framework for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs).
Yet, as MiCAR moves from promise to implementation, that implementation is occurring at different speeds. Member states have adopted varying grandfathering periods - some up to 18 months long - to allow local CASPs time to adjust to MiCAR’s sweeping requirements. Others, like the Netherlands, have opted for a shorter transitional window of just six months. This divergence means that crypto firms operating in the Netherlands will have to meet MiCAR’s requirements by 1 July 2025 - while peers in some other EU countries have up till 1 July 2026 to prepare.
This creates an immediate and pressing challenge for CASPs in early adopter countries: meeting MiCAR’s rigorous requirements on capital, governance, risk management, transparency, and investor protection. But for firms already operating to high standards of investor protection and operational resilience, and aligned with industry best practices, the shorter timeline reinforces their existing approach, requiring refinement rather than reinvention.
For firms operating in jurisdictions like the Netherlands, MiCAR compliance is not optional, but it is an opportunity. Being an early adopter means faster access to cross-border markets and earlier engagement with institutional partners. In a market where trust is key, early adoption offers a real competitive edge.
One Trading’s Early Compliance Advantage
At One Trading, we see this transitional landscape as an opportunity to lead. We’re proud to be among the firms that are already fully MiCAR compliant, and to be the first crypto derivatives trading venue in the European Union to be authorised under both MiFID II and MiCAR. While others are preparing for MiCAR, we have already operationalised it. Our dual authorisation is a clear signal to clients and partners that we operate at the level the future will require, and we’re already seeing growing interest from counterparties who prioritise regulated, transparent venues. For clients, this means trading on a platform that’s designed for scale, supervision, and sustainability.
We’ve long believed that the future of crypto-asset markets lies in robust oversight and compliance - positioning ourselves not just to meet today’s expectations, but to anticipate tomorrow’s.
Our MiCAR-readiness is built on:
✅ Proactive Preparation: Well before the transitional period deadlines emerged, we aligned our operational frameworks with MiCAR’s standards. From governance structures to investor disclosures, we’ve already embedded MiCAR principles across our business.
✅ Holistic Compliance: We’re not just compliant in one area - we’re compliant end-to-end. Our approach covers processes, practices, policies and technology infrastructure, ensuring clients can trust our platform in any market condition.
✅ Cross-Functional Integration: Achieving compliance isn’t just a task for the legal and compliance team - it requires coordination and readiness across multiple areas including technology, risk, marketing and operations. Our cross-functional teams have worked together to ensure we’re not just meeting the letter of the law, but living it in our daily operations.
✅ Client-Centric Focus: MiCAR’s ultimate aim is to protect investors and build trust in crypto markets. At One Trading, clients have always been at the core of our mission.
As the Netherlands becomes one of the first countries to implement MiCAR, One Trading stands out as a leader - proving that it’s possible to thrive in this new environment by embracing the regulatory shift. It’s a testament to our long-standing commitment to investor protection, market integrity, and responsible innovation in digital finance.
We recognise that the EU’s regulatory landscape will continue to evolve, with supervisory practices converging as transitional periods conclude. But for One Trading, the future is clear: we operate to the highest standards today - and stand ready to shape the future of crypto in Europe tomorrow.
