MiCA Slashes Crypto Fraud by over 50%

MiCA Slashes Crypto Fraud by over 50%

Time Stamp: December 15, 2023 10:18 AM
MiCA Slashes Crypto Fraud by over 50% PlatoBlockchain Data Intelligence. Vertical Search. Ai.

There has been a shift in fraud away from the
cryptocurrency space, with a decline of 51% in attacks, thanks to the Market in Crypto Asset (MiCA) regulation. With fraudsters
finding it increasingly challenging to operate in the crypto market due to
regulatory measures, their focus has turned to exploiting vulnerabilities in
the payments sector.

The global identity intelligence company
headquartered in Israel, AU10TIX, recently released a report about the state of the global fraud identity for the third quarter of 2023. This report delved into the ramifications of the MiCA, emphasizing enhanced investor protection.

Moreover, it unveiled how regulatory crackdowns in
the crypto space are redirecting fraud efforts toward the payments sector.
The report detailed a 56% surge in fraud in the payments sector,
driven by factors like increased digital transaction volumes in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region and the economic recovery in North America.

Ofer Friedman, AU10TIX’s Chief Business Development
Officer, mentioned: “Organized crime groups are exploiting gaps in
detection technology to orchestrate financial fraud on a massive level
simultaneously across multiple businesses and geographies. Actual fraud rates
are multiple times higher than reported.”

Meanwhile, in the APAC region, the rise in digital transactions, coupled with their complexity due to diverse economies and cross-border transactions, creates difficulties in verifying identities. In the payments sector, North America faces significant challenges, a scenario that presents potential loopholes for fraudsters.

The higher occurrence of attacks in North America is linked to fraudsters taking advantage of economic recovery and increased spending in the region.

Risks despite MiCA’s Ambitions

Although Crypto investors anticipate safety nets
with the MiCA, a recent statement from the European Securities and Markets
Authority (ESMA) unveiled a concerning reality. ESMA has urged preparations for
MiCA’s implementation, cautioning retail investors that the regulations won’t
shield their investments until December 2024, Finance Magnates reported.

The regulation aims to standardize crypto-asset
activities across the EU to strengthen consumer protection and bolster
market stability. ESMA has set expectations for national authorities and
crypto-asset service providers to align their supervisory practices.

Despite MiCA’s ambitions, ESMA has cautioned about
persisting inherent risks within crypto-assets even after its implementation.
The regulator has underscored that full MiCA protections will not happen until
the regulation is wholly enforced.

Officially approved in May 2023, the MiCA is
slated for enactment by December 2024, with a potential extension of the
transitional period until July 2026. This is contingent upon the decisions of the
member states.

The EU reached an important milestone in its efforts to regulate crypto when the EU Council adopted the MiCA in May. This step signified a concerted effort to protect investors, promote environmental sustainability, and curb money laundering within the crypto space.

There has been a shift in fraud away from the
cryptocurrency space, with a decline of 51% in attacks, thanks to the Market in Crypto Asset (MiCA) regulation. With fraudsters
finding it increasingly challenging to operate in the crypto market due to
regulatory measures, their focus has turned to exploiting vulnerabilities in
the payments sector.

The global identity intelligence company
headquartered in Israel, AU10TIX, recently released a report about the state of the global fraud identity for the third quarter of 2023. This report delved into the ramifications of the MiCA, emphasizing enhanced investor protection.

Moreover, it unveiled how regulatory crackdowns in
the crypto space are redirecting fraud efforts toward the payments sector.
The report detailed a 56% surge in fraud in the payments sector,
driven by factors like increased digital transaction volumes in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region and the economic recovery in North America.

Ofer Friedman, AU10TIX’s Chief Business Development
Officer, mentioned: “Organized crime groups are exploiting gaps in
detection technology to orchestrate financial fraud on a massive level
simultaneously across multiple businesses and geographies. Actual fraud rates
are multiple times higher than reported.”

Meanwhile, in the APAC region, the rise in digital transactions, coupled with their complexity due to diverse economies and cross-border transactions, creates difficulties in verifying identities. In the payments sector, North America faces significant challenges, a scenario that presents potential loopholes for fraudsters.

The higher occurrence of attacks in North America is linked to fraudsters taking advantage of economic recovery and increased spending in the region.

Risks despite MiCA’s Ambitions

Although Crypto investors anticipate safety nets
with the MiCA, a recent statement from the European Securities and Markets
Authority (ESMA) unveiled a concerning reality. ESMA has urged preparations for
MiCA’s implementation, cautioning retail investors that the regulations won’t
shield their investments until December 2024, Finance Magnates reported.

The regulation aims to standardize crypto-asset
activities across the EU to strengthen consumer protection and bolster
market stability. ESMA has set expectations for national authorities and
crypto-asset service providers to align their supervisory practices.

Despite MiCA’s ambitions, ESMA has cautioned about
persisting inherent risks within crypto-assets even after its implementation.
The regulator has underscored that full MiCA protections will not happen until
the regulation is wholly enforced.

Officially approved in May 2023, the MiCA is
slated for enactment by December 2024, with a potential extension of the
transitional period until July 2026. This is contingent upon the decisions of the
member states.

The EU reached an important milestone in its efforts to regulate crypto when the EU Council adopted the MiCA in May. This step signified a concerted effort to protect investors, promote environmental sustainability, and curb money laundering within the crypto space.

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