Crypto, tokens & 2 Bans smoking

Hey there, folks! It's your pal Dima Babanov, the Ukrainian entrepreneur with a knack for jokes and a love for tech and engineering. Buckle up because we're diving into the world of EU crypto regulation, the digital euro, and some Reddit drama. It's gonna be a wild ride!

So, let's start with the EU Crypto Regulation, or as I like to call it, MiCa. We've got some highlights to cover. The main actors here are ESMA and EBA, the regulators and supervisors. They're the ones calling the shots, folks.

Now, the scope of this regulation is quite something. We've got bottom thresholds and top-bar thresholds. If you've got a value of at least 1 million euros in 12 months or 150 holders per EU state, you're exempt from regulation. But hold on tight, if you hit 1 million euros or 200 million euros, it's time to stop issuing and submit a plan within 40 days. Talk about a tight deadline!

This regulation is all about the centralized entities, my friends. They're the ones who need to follow the rules. The fully decentralized ones can sit back and relax. They're off the hook!

And let's not forget about the tokens’ types. They're all about the fungible ones. Non-fungibles, you're safe for now. No regulation for you!

Responsibility is key here. Offerors of e-money and asset-referenced tokens are in for a wild ride. They've got full civil liability. And watch out for those fines, folks. Private individuals can face fines up to 700,000 euros, while companies get hit with 5 million euros (plus a percentage). That's gotta hurt!

Now, let's talk about requirements. They're all about internal organization and audit for issuers. And if you're into e-money, get ready for some EU-registration. They're serious about keeping things clean, with criminal and reputational records requirements. Gotta stay squeaky clean, my friends!

Authorization is a fancy word for getting permission. Only credit institutions can play with e-money, while authorized issuers can have their fun with asset-referenced tokens. And guess what? No need to get approvals for communication or whitepapers. Phew! That's a relief!

We've got concepts and regulations galore, folks. Specific rules, exemptions for crypto-asset service providers, and a stop to anonymity. They've even introduced this "significant token/issuer" concept. It's like they've added some extra spice to the mix.

Fair and transparent trade is the name of the game. They've got two types of recognized tokens: e-money and asset-referenced tokens. And get this, you've got the right to redeem your tokens in the same currency without any fees. Talk about a win-win!

Custody rules and reserves are a must. They want everything in order, like a peCrypto, tokens & 2 Bans smokingrfectly organized closet. And they've introduced different risk assessment practices. Gotta cover all the bases, you know?

Officials are gonna have a fun time with cross-border data exchange. It's like an international data party. And let's not forget about those guidelines for whitepapers. Gotta keep it classy, folks.

But wait, there's more! They've got a central token/whitepaper register establishment under ESMA. They're keeping a close eye on things, like a hawk watching its prey. Centralized monitoring is the name of the game, my friends. ///

Now, let's switch gears to the digital euro. They're considering issuing it with a cap of 1.5 trillion euros. They want to address concerns about central bank digital currencies. But hold on a minute, there are worries about the concentration of funds with the central bank. They don't want to starve those consumer banks, you know? Gotta keep those banks happy, you know?

The proposed digital euro holdings of 3,000 to 4,000 euros per person aim to strike a balance. It's like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, not too much, not too little. Just right!

The European Commission had a little chat with the public about the digital euro, and it seems like not everyone is on board. Mixed responses, folks. Some people have reservations or just lack enthusiasm about the whole thing. Can't win 'em all, I guess.

Now, here's a twist. The legislation for the digital euro that was supposed to be published on June 28 got put on hold. Yeah, they're taking a breather. They've got some more thinking to do, I suppose.

Alright, now let's dive into the Reddit drama. You know, that place where people post all sorts of stuff and have discussions. Turns out, there's been some unrest lately. It's like a pattern we've seen on other social media platforms. Companies start chasing profits and forget about the users. It's a recipe for disaster, my friends.

Reddit's been making moves like limiting API access, and that's got people worried. They're all about controlling data, but what about the user-generated content? That's what makes Reddit special, after all. Experts are saying that neglecting user interests for profit is a slippery slope. We've seen it happen before, and it doesn't end well.

Social media is a wild ride, folks. Things are changing all the time, and that's throwing everyone off. No one can predict what's gonna happen next. Some folks think Reddit's heading towards a dark path, while others aren't so sure. It's a hot topic, for sure.

Rory Mir from the Electronic Frontier Foundation has some strong opinions. He says the longer Reddit stays on this course, the more users and content they'll lose. It's a slow attrition, like a slow leak in a balloon. We've seen it happen with other platforms, so it's not looking too good.

But Reddit's denying any ill intentions. They claim they're not specifically targeting third-party apps. They're just trying to control the flow of data, especially to those generative AI companies. They're shooting themselves in the foot, according to mister Mir. The users and their content are what make the platform worth visiting, not just the hosting itself.

Amy Bruckman, the professor and moderator, has seen it all. She says social media has been through some crazy changes. It used to be all stable and predictable, but now it's like a roller coaster. Everything's suddenly shifted, and we're all trying to catch our breath.

Alright, folks, let's wrap this up. Is the EU Crypto Regulation for good? Well, it feels like it. It's a generally soft regulation with some authorization elements. It's all about responsibility, demand, and investment. It's like saying goodbye to the golden rush age. It's time to step up, folks!

And what about the incoming AI and Digital Euro regulations? The future of AI seems clear, but there's still lots of work to be done. The timeline is set by the European Commission, and they've got some big plans in store.

As for the Digital Euro, well, it's a bit unclear. There's no clear vision on its application in centralized monetary systems. But hey, let's see how it develops alongside the crypto regulation. More responsibility means more demand and wider adoption in the crypto world.

Oh, and before we go, let's talk about Elon Musk. That guy always has something to say, doesn't he? He's got these contradictory statements about AI. It's both a benefit and a surefire way to kill us all. Classic Elon, always leaving us guessing. Well, remember his name when AI takes over, folks. He wants to be remembered. wink

Alright, my friends, that's a wrap! Stay tuned for more blog posts from yours truly, Dima Babanov. Like and comment, repost, subscribe to the whitelist on iva dot community! Until next time, ciao and arrivederci!

Truly Yours, Dima Babanov

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