Source: OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, pp. 40–205

Current language: EN

Article 97 Promotion of convergence on the classification of crypto-assets


Summary What does Article 97 of the MiCA regulation say?

This article is focused on supervisory convergence around the classification of crypto-assets.

It tasks the three European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs — EBA, ESMA, and EIOPA) with working together to produce practical tools and foster consistent approaches among competent authorities across Member States.

The article connects directly to other parts of the regulation that require explanations and legal opinions to accompany crypto-asset white papers and authorisation applications — specifically Articles 8, 17, and 18 — and it aims to reduce the risk of divergent classification outcomes emerging across different national regulators.

Important points:

  • The ESAs are required to jointly issue guidelines by 30 December 2024, including templates and a standardised classification test, to bring consistency to how crypto-asset explanations and legal opinions are prepared.
  • Competent authorities of home or host Member States can request a classification opinion from ESMA, EIOPA, or EBA, which must be provided within 15 working days.
  • The ESAs must produce an annual report identifying classification difficulties and divergences among competent authorities, drawing on the register under Article 109.

Springlex's summary of the article, a reading aid, not a substitute for the legal text.

    1. By 30 December 2024, the ESAs shall jointly issue guidelines in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010, Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 and Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 to specify the content and form of the explanation accompanying the crypto-asset white paper referred to in Article 8(4) and of the legal opinions on the qualification of asset-referenced tokens referred to in Article 17(1), point (b)(ii), and Article 18(2), point (e). The guidelines shall include a template for the explanation and the opinion and a standardised test for the classification of crypto-assets.

    1. The ESAs shall, in accordance with Article 29 of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010, Article 29 of Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 and Article 29 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010, respectively, promote discussion among competent authorities on the classification of the crypto-assets, including on the classification of those crypto-assets that are excluded from the scope of this Regulation pursuant to Article 2(3). The ESAs shall also identify the sources of potential divergences in the approaches of the competent authorities to the classification of those crypto-assets and shall, to the extent possible, promote a common approach thereto.

    1. Competent authorities of the home or the host Member States may request ESMA, EIOPA or EBA, as appropriate, for an opinion on the classification of crypto-assets, including those that are excluded from the scope of this Regulation pursuant to Article 2(3). ESMA, EIOPA or EBA, as applicable, shall provide such opinion in accordance with Article 29 of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010, Article 29 of Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 and Article 29 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010, as applicable, within 15 working days of receipt of the request from the competent authorities.

    1. The ESAs shall jointly draw up an annual report based on the information contained in the register referred to in Article 109 and on the results of their work referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article, identifying difficulties in the classification of crypto-assets and divergences in the approaches of the competent authorities.

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