Crypto’s Credibility Check: Regulatory Compliance and Institutional Trust Take Center Stage in H2 2025

The crypto market is undergoing a pivotal shift in the second half of 2025, moving from speculative growth to a mature, regulated financial ecosystem. With the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework now governing exchanges across the EU, the focus has shifted decisively toward compliance, transparency, and institutional trust.

Licensing is no longer optional. Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs) must secure approvals under MiCA or equivalent regimes like Malta’s VFA to remain competitive. The era of unchecked expansion is over; the winners will be those who embed compliance into their operations seamlessly.

Proof-of-reserves and independent audits are becoming non-negotiable. Institutional capital demands verifiable transparency, and platforms that fail to deliver will struggle to attract serious investment. The market is consolidating rapidly, with only licensed, auditable entities likely to survive.