Dr. Alexandros Seretakis is an assistant professor of law at Trinity College Dublin. His research and teaching interests include financial regulation, fintech and its regulation and alternative investment fund tegulation. His research is regularly featured in global media, including the Financial Times and the Banker. He has been a research fellow at the NYU Pollack Center for Law and Business and the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London. He is also a guest lecturer at the Institute of Bankers in Ireland. Alexandros is a member of Blockchain Ireland Legal Working Group and an expert at the Digital Euro Association. He has studied in Greece, London (UCL), New York (NYU) and Luxembourg.
How should Crypto-Lending be Regulated under EU Law?
Abstract:
One of the biggest challenges facing policymakers with respect to crypto markets is the treatment of crypto lending. ECB president Lagarde recently stated that crypto lending should be regulated.1 According to the ECB president, the growing incidences of fraud, criminal dealings and dubious valuation practices in the crypto lending space pose severe risks for consumers. One question flowing from her statement is how should crypto lending be regulated? The present article will explore avenues to regulate crypto lending within the framework of EU financial services regulation. It will argue that crypto lenders fall within the definition of credit institutions under EU law. As a result, they are subject to the stringent licensing and prudential requirements introduced by the Capital Requirements Directive and Regulation.