Tether CEO Warns MiCA Regulations Pose Systemic Risk to Stablecoins and Banking

• Recently, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino voiced concerns about the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, suggesting it may pose systemic risks not only to stablecoins but also to the broader banking system.
• The MiCA regulation, which came into effect on June 30th, imposes stringent limitations on stablecoin operations within the European Economic Area, including a mandate that at least 60% of stablecoin reserves be held in EU banks.
• Ardoino highlighted that these regulations might exacerbate vulnerabilities, particularly under the fractional reserve banking system where only a fraction of deposits are available for withdrawal at any time

An in-depth analysis of Tether CEO’s warning on MiCA regulation reveals potential risks to the banking sector and stablecoin market dynamics.

MiCA Regulation: New Stability or Increased Risk?

The regulation aims to bring more safety to stablecoin operations by ensuring significant reserves are held within the EU. However, Ardoino argues that this approach may inadvertently create systemic risks. By obligating stablecoin issuers to hold substantial reserves in banks that operate under fractional reserve systems, there’s a perceived threat of bank runs, where a large number of withdrawals outpace available liquid reserves.

Understanding Fractional Reserve Banking

Fractional reserve banking allows banks to lend out most of the deposits they receive, keeping only a small fraction as reserves for withdrawal requests. While this system supports economic activity by providing loans, it also means that banks cannot return all deposits if all depositors demand their money simultaneously. Ardoino suggests that the MiCA regulations might concentrate a large volume of stablecoin reserves into a system that cannot handle mass withdrawal demands.

The Insufficiency of Insurance Limits

The MiCA regulation aligns with EU’s deposit insurance scheme, covering up to $100,000 per depositor per institution. However, this insurance level may be insufficient for stablecoin issuers like Tether and Circle, which manage assets worth billions. Ardoino referenced the 2023 collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, emphasizing the risk of large uninsured deposits at banks.

Implications for Major Stablecoin Issuers

During the Silicon Valley Bank crisis, Circle experienced significant issues due to their substantial deposits, which led to short-term volatility for their stablecoin, USD Coin (USDC). Ardoino underscores that a similar situation could arise in the EU under MiCA, where insufficiently insured deposits could lead to liquidity crises and further destabilize the financial environment.

Current Market Situation for Stablecoins

Despite these concerns, the stablecoin market continues to expand. USDT and USDC, the largest stablecoins by market cap, have seen growth even in the face of regulatory challenges. Their combined market capitalization increased by $3 billion in just a few days earlier this week.

Conclusion

In summary, while the MiCA regulation aims to enhance stability and security within the crypto markets, Tether’s CEO warns that it may have the opposite effect by introducing substantial risks to the banking system and stablecoin issuers. This development highlights the need for careful consideration and possibly revisions to ensure that regulatory goals do not inadvertently undermine financial stability.