Redefining Compliance In The Age Of Tokenization And Crypto Regulation
As crypto regulation rapidly evolves, compliance has become the focal point of global financial transformation. What began as a fragmented discussion around risk has matured into a unified conversation about readiness, resilience, and the power of compliance to drive innovation and trust. The digital asset landscape is now in constant motion, borderless and fast moving, requiring round-the-clock attention from firms striving to stay ahead in an increasingly complex environment.
To help us better understand all this activity, StarCompliance (Star) recently hosted a webinar, The Next Chapter in Crypto Regulations: Risk, Rules & Readiness, which brought together thought leaders in the industry.
Miroslav Duric of TaylorWessing and Juan Antonio Solis of O’Melven & Myers shared perspectives on how firms across regions are preparing for a more structured regulatory era—and how compliance teams are evolving from reactive monitors to proactive architects of trust.
Here are some key takeaways:
The Rise of Global Clarity
In the European Union, MiCA has become the foundation for crypto regulation. As Miroslav explained,
“This year was pretty busy in terms of crypto regulatory developments. In the EU, MiCA is now fully operational and ESMA has been very active with guidance, while member states compete on approvals.”
That competition among regulators has accelerated institutional adoption and sparked innovation in stablecoins and tokenized assets.
The United Kingdom is following a similar path, building its crypto oversight into existing financial frameworks. The goal is not to reinvent regulation but to integrate digital assets into established conduct, licensing, and promotional standards.
Meanwhile, Dubai’s VARA continues to attract attention for its forward-thinking and transparent regime—comprehensive yet practical enough for firms to operationalize.
Miroslav noted:
“VARA’s rulebooks are written in practical, easily understandable language, setting a new benchmark for accessibility in compliance design.”
The United States: From Observation to Implementation
In the United States, the focus is shifting from observation to action. Legislative efforts such as the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act and coordinated engagement between the SEC and CFTC signal a maturing regulatory landscape.
Juan Antonio captured the sentiment:
“The space feels like it is moving from early childhood to the teenage years. Companies are settling in for what comes next, and traditional institutions are preparing for a more mainstream role.”
He pointed out that many traditional financial institutions are now exploring stablecoin products, tokenization initiatives, and partnerships with crypto-native firms—reflecting confidence that regulatory clarity will enable rather than constrain innovation.
Best Practices for a New Era of Compliance
Firms worldwide are redefining how they manage compliance in the digital asset era. Several best practices emerged from the discussion:
- Treat compliance as a strategic capability. Move from checklists to continuous oversight that supports innovation.
- Build adaptable frameworks. Design controls that can meet requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
- Strengthen governance alignment. Bring compliance into early product and business planning conversations.
- Automate monitoring. Deploy RegTech to detect, report, and manage risk in real time.
- Prepare for tokenization and stablecoins. Define custody, disclosure, and trading surveillance protocols now.
- Invest in expertise and education. Equip teams with training to understand both traditional and digital market mechanics.
For a deeper dive into digital assets, Miraslav Duric has just released Digital Asset Guide: Demystifying the Multifaceted World of Digital Assets.
Why This Matters
Compliance is no longer a back-office function. It has become the foundation for market integrity and investor trust. The conversation around digital assets has moved beyond hype or hesitation and is now centered on building sustainable systems that bring innovation and oversight together in a meaningful way.
In 2026, success will depend on readiness: firms that integrate regulatory insight, automate risk management, and foster collaboration across compliance and product teams will be best positioned to thrive in this new era of digital finance.
ON-DEMAND
The Next Chapter In Crypto Regulations: Risk, Rules, & Readiness
The global crypto market is entering a defining moment.
Watch the webinar on demand to hear Steve Brown, Miroslav Furyk, and Juan Antonio Salas discuss how 2025 reshaped the global crypto landscape—and what compliance leaders should prepare for next.
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