Regulating DeFi: Safeguarding Market Integrity While Managing High Expectations

Digital finance has contributed to the dematerialisation and disintermediation of financial transactions. Technological innovations, namely blockchain technology and smart contracts, have generated an additional ecosystem – decentralised finance (DeFi). Since its main characteristics are pseudonymit...

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Main Authors: Luka Orešković, Ivana Bajakić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Law 2024-12-01
Series:Croatian Yearbook of European Law and Policy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cyelp.com/index.php/cyelp/article/view/575
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author Luka Orešković
Ivana Bajakić
author_facet Luka Orešković
Ivana Bajakić
author_sort Luka Orešković
collection DOAJ
description Digital finance has contributed to the dematerialisation and disintermediation of financial transactions. Technological innovations, namely blockchain technology and smart contracts, have generated an additional ecosystem – decentralised finance (DeFi). Since its main characteristics are pseudonymity and a lack of intermediaries, which are currently challenging to systemically evaluate, it requires an equally innovative approach from policy makers, regulators, and legislators. The purpose of the paper is twofold. Firstly, it illuminates market trends and highlights the emerging risks associated with DeFi. Secondly, it examines policies, legislative proposals, and existing regulation, focusing on three main areas: consumer protection, anti-money laundering, and determining jurisdiction and applicable law. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of primary sources, namely EU and US legislation, and supported by relevant reports and case studies made by financial authorities, international standard-setting bodies, and business associations, this paper adopts a theoretical approach. It puts forward arguments in favour of the hypothesis that regulatory certainty fosters a favourable environment for the development of financial services in the realm of crypto innovations, a correlation that will hopefully hold significance within the context of DeFi.
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issn 1845-5662
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spelling doaj-art-53bd3b26ae104f54b2f333f12744af5b2025-02-06T15:52:26ZengUniversity of Zagreb, Faculty of LawCroatian Yearbook of European Law and Policy1845-56621848-99582024-12-01201599010.3935/cyelp.20.2024.575Regulating DeFi: Safeguarding Market Integrity While Managing High ExpectationsLuka Orešković0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0068-8290Ivana Bajakić1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4109-0597BDV LegalUniversity of Zagreb Faculty of LawDigital finance has contributed to the dematerialisation and disintermediation of financial transactions. Technological innovations, namely blockchain technology and smart contracts, have generated an additional ecosystem – decentralised finance (DeFi). Since its main characteristics are pseudonymity and a lack of intermediaries, which are currently challenging to systemically evaluate, it requires an equally innovative approach from policy makers, regulators, and legislators. The purpose of the paper is twofold. Firstly, it illuminates market trends and highlights the emerging risks associated with DeFi. Secondly, it examines policies, legislative proposals, and existing regulation, focusing on three main areas: consumer protection, anti-money laundering, and determining jurisdiction and applicable law. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of primary sources, namely EU and US legislation, and supported by relevant reports and case studies made by financial authorities, international standard-setting bodies, and business associations, this paper adopts a theoretical approach. It puts forward arguments in favour of the hypothesis that regulatory certainty fosters a favourable environment for the development of financial services in the realm of crypto innovations, a correlation that will hopefully hold significance within the context of DeFi.https://www.cyelp.com/index.php/cyelp/article/view/575decentralised finance (defi)micacrypto assetsfinancial regulationconsumer protectionamljurisdictional issues
spellingShingle Luka Orešković
Ivana Bajakić
Regulating DeFi: Safeguarding Market Integrity While Managing High Expectations
Croatian Yearbook of European Law and Policy
decentralised finance (defi)
mica
crypto assets
financial regulation
consumer protection
aml
jurisdictional issues
title Regulating DeFi: Safeguarding Market Integrity While Managing High Expectations
title_full Regulating DeFi: Safeguarding Market Integrity While Managing High Expectations
title_fullStr Regulating DeFi: Safeguarding Market Integrity While Managing High Expectations
title_full_unstemmed Regulating DeFi: Safeguarding Market Integrity While Managing High Expectations
title_short Regulating DeFi: Safeguarding Market Integrity While Managing High Expectations
title_sort regulating defi safeguarding market integrity while managing high expectations
topic decentralised finance (defi)
mica
crypto assets
financial regulation
consumer protection
aml
jurisdictional issues
url https://www.cyelp.com/index.php/cyelp/article/view/575
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