- Smaller markets with a lighter administration might lead the way in terms of crypto regulation.
- A standardized approach to regulating crypto is estimated to emerge.
- Traditional financial will insist on a level playing field in terms of regulation.
- A transaction involving smart contracts on-chain does often not fit into the basic legal concepts.
- Also, expect to see interesting debates around NFTs.
If 2021 has been the year of talking about crypto regulation, then 2022 is likely to be the year of turning words into action. Because if nothing else, 2021 has shown that crypto isn’t likely going to be going away, something which has certainly forced more than a few regulators to sit up and take notice.
As with 2021, 2022 is likely to bring a mix of attitudes towards crypto, with some nations taking a very favorable view (as seen with El Salvador) and others taking a much harder line (as seen with China). However, industry players speaking with Cryptonews.com estimate that much of the regulation imposed next year will be increasingly positive for the industry, as more governments and official agencies come to appreciate its scope and more positive aspects.
At the same time, industry figures say regulators will start looking to regulate specific areas of the crypto industry in 2022, with stablecoins, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and decentralized finance (DeFi) being particular focuses for many. And while certain people within crypto may be horrified by the prospect of more regulation, the introduction of consumer safeguards may ultimately be a net positive for the industry.
2021 predictions vs. reality
Back in November 2020, industry players predicted that 2021 will bring a piecemeal approach to introducing new crypto regulations. This is largely the case, given that most developed nations seem to still be debating and consulting on potential rules, with the likes of Ukraine, Cuba, and El Salvador being the exception rather than the norm.
One thing…
