Moldova to introduce its first cryptocurrency legal framework in 2026, aligning with the EU MiCA standards

2026-01-16 10:34:16

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【Blockchain Rhythm】Moldova has taken new steps in its crypto policy. On January 16, Finance Minister Andrian Gavrilita announced that Moldova plans to implement its first systematic cryptocurrency legislative framework by the end of 2026, with regulatory standards aligned with the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).

The core points of this legal system are worth noting: it allows citizens to legally hold and trade crypto assets but does not treat cryptocurrencies as legal tender for payments. In other words, you can hold and trade them, but cannot use them to pay taxes or for daily transactions.

Gavrilita also emphasized the government's stance—viewing crypto assets as a highly volatile speculative sector rather than traditional investment products. This stance involves joint participation from the central bank, financial market regulators, and anti-money laundering authorities. The government is working with these agencies to develop detailed legal frameworks aimed at fulfilling its commitments to align with the EU.

Why the urgency now? The background is that the EU's MiCA regulation will fully come into effect by the end of 2024, becoming Europe's first unified crypto industry regulatory framework. Moldova aims to keep pace mainly for compliance reasons. Previously, the central bank issued multiple warnings about the price volatility and money laundering risks of crypto assets. This legislation is seen as a way to strike a balance between regulation and prevention.

This is Moldova's first official crypto legal framework, marking a new starting point.

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Ser_APY_2000

· 6h ago

Moldova is really following the EU this time, only establishing the framework in 2026, how long will we have to wait? --- It's the MiCA standard again. Whether the EU's approach can truly be implemented in small countries remains to be seen. --- Just hold on, since it's not meant to be used as money anyway, just hype it up. --- The government's attitude is a bit interesting—allowing it on one hand while treating you as a cash cow on the other, a reasonable arrangement. --- 2026 is still far away; by then, the market conditions might be completely different haha. --- Supporting legislation is good; it's definitely better than a complete ban. --- Wait, not allowing it to be used for paying taxes? Then how are we supposed to use it? Feels like this framework is a bit useless. --- Both the central bank and regulators are involved, it looks like they're really planning something, not just playing around. --- The positioning as a highly volatile speculative asset directly exposes its essence; those in the know see it this way. --- Moldova, this small country, also wants a piece of the pie, pretty interesting huh.

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PaperHandsCriminal

· 6h ago

Will it be implemented only in 2026? By then, the bull market will have already passed, brother. Moldova's pace is indeed a bit slow. --- Again, comparing to MiCA, the EU's set of regulations has long been twisted into a mess. Still trying to learn. --- Cannot be used as a legal payment method? In other words, it's still viewed as gambling. I'll be straightforward. --- Allow holding and trading but ban payments. Why is this logic so convoluted... But it's also good this way, less trouble. --- In 2026, I bet five bucks it will be postponed again. That's a traditional skill of the government. --- The label of speculation, it seems the same idea worldwide haha.

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FastLeaver

· 6h ago

Moldova has also started to follow the EU, but honestly, they still see the crypto world as a casino. Waiting until 2026... how long do we have to wait? By then, the market could have doubled multiple times. The MiCA regulations are a bit restrictive; not allowing cryptocurrencies to be used as legal tender is somewhat pointless. The government is teaming up with anti-money laundering agencies again... it seems like they want to check everyone one by one. As long as you hold and trade legally, it's fine. Anyway, I don't rely on crypto to pay taxes. This move is actually quite good; compared to outright bans, it's much better. MiCA is just copy-pasted; fine, as long as they don't ban it. 2026 is too far away; by then, the hype will have cooled down.

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AirdropHarvester

· 6h ago

The framework won't be out until 2026, and the progress is really slow. By then, the situation will have changed. It's a good benchmark against MiCA, but this "tax exemption" setup is a bit funny—it's legally existing but can't do anything. Here we go again, positioning it as a speculative product? This is just the prelude to trapping retail investors, brother. The EU side is about to face condemnation, and Moldova is still studying MiCA. They really have ideas. The central bank and anti-money laundering departments are all involved. Wow, such a big show... even small countries are starting to regulate. As long as it can be traded, I don't care what it's called. Anyway, it's a financial product. Wait, so holding it is legal? That broadens the gray area. Regulatory work is underway. 2026... I bet five bucks that the framework will change again when it's released. The fact that it can't be used as a payment method directly cuts off crypto's use cases—what a waste. Small European countries are competing now. Even Moldova is deploying an official army. Is the market really coming?

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