Report Overview
This is PwC's third annual Global Crypto Regulation Report. The report provides an overview of the global regulatory landscape, how the regulatory frameworks are developing across the world, and the impact on crypto and traditional financial services firms.
Key Insight: Policymakers worldwide are striving to balance innovation with investor protection, financial stability, and market integrity. With greater regulatory clarity emerging, businesses must adapt to evolving compliance requirements and capitalize on opportunities in a maturing digital asset ecosystem.
Key Regulatory Statistics
Global Crypto Regulatory Trends for 2025
U.S. Moves Towards Regulatory Clarity
The U.S. is shifting to a more crypto-friendly regulatory stance with the new administration demonstrating the end of the previous "regulation by enforcement" approach and instead crafting clearer rules for digital assets.
MiCAR's Transitional Period Creates Uncertainty
While the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) has taken effect, a transitional "grandfathering" period allows existing crypto firms to continue operating under national rules until mid-2026, leading to regulatory inconsistencies across the bloc.
UK's Cryptoasset Regime in Progress
The UK is advancing an extensive regulatory framework for cryptoassets with HM Treasury confirming it will bring a broad range of cryptoasset and stablecoin activities into the regulated financial services perimeter.
Asia's Proactive Crypto Regulations
Asian financial centers are stepping up their crypto frameworks to foster growth while managing risks. Hong Kong SAR aims to become a regional digital asset hub and has introduced new licensing regimes for exchanges.
Global Stablecoin Regulation Intensifies
Stablecoins are under heightened scrutiny worldwide as regulators race to set standards for these digital currencies. Jurisdictions are introducing tailored rules to ensure stablecoin reliability and reserve backing.
Stronger AML and Transparency Standards
Governments worldwide are tightening anti-money laundering (AML) rules for digital assets to combat illicit finance. Most jurisdictions have or are implementing the FATF "Travel Rule" for crypto exchanges.
Report Contents
Document Structure
Report Overview
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the global regulatory landscape for digital assets and cryptocurrencies. It examines how regulatory frameworks are developing across the world and their impact on both crypto-native and traditional financial services firms.
The terminology used in the report follows the definitions adopted by relevant authorities and includes digital assets, crypto assets, virtual assets, digital settlement assets, virtual currencies and cryptocurrencies.
Regulatory progress in the past year reflects a turning point for the digital asset industry, with greater clarity emerging in key markets like the United States and European Union.
Global Crypto Regulatory Trends
The global regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies is rapidly evolving, with several key trends shaping the industry in 2025:
U.S. Regulatory Shift
The U.S. is experiencing a seismic shift in its digital asset ecosystem, with regulatory clarity and industry alignment redefining the landscape for crypto innovation. Comprehensive regulatory frameworks are replacing the patchwork of ambiguous rules and sporadic enforcement actions.
EU MiCAR Implementation
The EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) became fully operational in December 2024, creating a uniform framework across the EU. However, transitional periods and varying national implementations create challenges for firms operating across the bloc.
Asia's Progressive Approach
Asian financial centers like Hong Kong and Singapore are implementing sophisticated regulatory frameworks to position themselves as digital asset hubs while managing risks through rigorous licensing regimes and stablecoin frameworks.
Emerging Markets
New regulatory regimes for crypto are taking shape in the Middle East and other emerging markets, with countries like the UAE establishing comprehensive crypto-asset frameworks to attract fintech investment.
United States Regulatory Landscape
The U.S. regulatory environment for digital assets has changed dramatically, with a shift toward regulatory clarity that supports institutional engagement.
Industry Alignment
For the first time, the U.S. crypto market is seeing regulators, financial institutions, and blockchain projects working together in alignment. This means:
- Traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) will integrate more seamlessly
- Institutional investors are entering the market at an accelerated pace
- Crypto-native companies have a clearer regulatory path to operate within the U.S.
- A Digital Asset Working Group ensures a regulatory framework that fosters innovation while maintaining oversight
Product and Service Innovation
As regulatory clarity emerges, the U.S. crypto landscape is poised for transformation:
- Staked ETFs: The SEC's new stance on digital asset ETFs sets a precedent for the next wave of crypto investment products
- Stablecoin Regulation: 2025 is expected to be the year when the U.S. finalizes comprehensive stablecoin legislation
- Tokenized Securities: Broader adoption of tokenized securities is expected, ensuring digital representations of traditional financial assets comply with U.S. securities laws
Views from Global Standard-Setting Bodies
Global standard-setting bodies (SSBs) provide important roadmaps for national authorities, though their recommendations don't carry legal status.
Financial Stability Board (FSB)
The FSB published its global regulatory framework for crypto-asset activities in July 2023, including recommendations for regulation, supervision, and oversight of crypto-asset activities and global stablecoin arrangements.
Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS)
The BCBS set rules on the prudential treatment of cryptoasset exposures, with implementation scheduled for January 2026. The standards classify cryptoassets into two groups with different capital requirements.
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
The FATF continues to monitor jurisdictions' compliance with Recommendation 15 on virtual assets. According to their 2024 update, 75% of surveyed jurisdictions are only partially compliant or not compliant at all with FATF's requirements.
International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)
IOSCO set out recommendations on crypto and digital asset market regulations in November 2023, covering areas including conflicts of interest, market manipulation, custody, and client asset protection.
European Union - MiCAR Implementation
The European Union has implemented a comprehensive legislative, regulatory and supervisory framework for the crypto-asset sector, with MiCAR as its cornerstone.
MiCAR Scope and Requirements
MiCAR creates a uniform framework for crypto-assets in the EU, providing legal certainty for crypto-asset issuers (CAIs) and crypto-asset service providers (CASPs). Key requirements include:
- Authorization and supervision: CASPs must obtain authorization from national competent authorities
- Transparency and disclosure: CAIs must publish whitepapers with detailed information
- Consumer protection: Rules on safekeeping of client funds and segregation of client assets
- Market integrity: Provisions to prevent market abuse
Transitional Periods
MiCAR includes transitional measures to facilitate a smooth transition for firms, with the transitional period ending on 30 June 2026. However, some EU countries have set stricter or shorter timelines:
| Country | Transition Period | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | Reduced to 12 months (30 Dec 2025) | FMA has issued detailed roadmap for CASPs |
| Germany | Reduced to 12 months (30 Dec 2025) | BaFin published roadmap for ARTs and EMTs |
| Netherlands | Reduced to 6 months (30 June 2025) | DNB website provides application process info |
| Lithuania | 0 months (30 Dec 2024) | No transition period according to central bank |
| France | 18 months from Dec 2024 | With restrictions on non-client providers |
Regulatory Developments in Selected Jurisdictions
The report provides detailed analysis of crypto regulatory developments across more than 30 jurisdictions worldwide. Key highlights include:
United Kingdom
The UK is advancing its regulatory framework with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issuing regulatory discussion papers and consultations throughout 2025, with full implementation expected in 2026.
Hong Kong SAR
Hong Kong aims to become a global financial hub for virtual assets with a harmonized regulatory framework. Recent developments include the establishment of the Virtual Asset Consultative Panel and a regulatory roadmap focusing on market Access, Safeguards, Product offerings, Infrastructure, and Relationships.
Singapore
Singapore seeks to establish itself as a country with an innovative and responsible digital asset ecosystem. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) aims to anchor high-quality firms with strong risk management and value propositions.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE aims to establish itself as a leading global virtual asset hub with specific regulatory frameworks in Dubai (VARA), Abu Dhabi (FSRA), and federal-level regulations from the Central Bank.
Other Notable Jurisdictions
The report also covers developments in jurisdictions including Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, and many others, providing a comprehensive global overview.
PwC Services and Capabilities
PwC offers comprehensive services to support regulators, banks, and service providers in navigating the evolving crypto regulatory landscape.
For Regulators
- Definition of licensing, registration and supervisory frameworks
- Preparation of crypto firm onboarding plans
- Support to define license conditions from strategic, operational, risk, and legal perspectives
- Framework buildout and managed services
For Banks
- Digital asset market entry strategy
- Risk and regulatory requirements analysis
- Operational and organizational requirements
- Technical requirements and implementation support
For Service Providers
- End-to-end support to establish business by obtaining regulatory licenses
- Value proposition and target operating model development
- Regulatory and legal support
- Post-submission support and growth opportunities
Note: The above is a summary of the key findings from the PwC Global Crypto Regulation Report 2025. The complete document contains extensive analysis, jurisdiction-specific details, and regulatory frameworks. We recommend downloading the full PDF for comprehensive understanding.