Article 2
Scope
Related Technical Standards & Guidelines
Guidelines
- GuidelinesJointIn force
Crypto-Asset Qualification Test Guidelines
Joint guidelines providing templates for explanations and opinions on whether crypto-assets qualify as financial instruments or other regulated instruments.
Related Recitals (Preamble)
Recitals provide interpretive context and policy rationale for the legislative provisions.
Existing financial instruments framework
Summary: Some crypto-assets, in particular those that qualify as financial instruments as defined in Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), fall within the scope of existing Union legislative acts on financial services.
Unregulated crypto-assets risks
Summary: Other crypto-assets, however, fall outside of the scope of Union legislative acts on financial services.
Technology neutrality principle
Summary: Union legislative acts on financial services should be guided by the principles of 'same activities, same risks, same rules' and of technology neutrality.
NFT exclusion from scope
Summary: This Regulation should not apply to crypto-assets that are unique and not fungible with other crypto-assets, including digital art and collectibles.
Fractional NFTs and fungibility
Summary: The fractional parts of a unique and non-fungible crypto-asset should not be considered unique and non-fungible.
Intragroup and public entity exclusions
Summary: It is appropriate to exclude certain intragroup transactions and some public entities from the scope of this Regulation as they do not pose risks to investor protection, market integrity, financial st...
Central bank digital currencies exclusion
Summary: Digital assets issued by central banks acting in their monetary authority capacity, including central bank money in digital form, or crypto-assets issued by other public authorities, including central...
Non-transferable digital assets exclusion
Summary: Digital assets that cannot be transferred to other holders do not fall within the definition of crypto-assets.
Decentralised services exclusion
Summary: This Regulation should apply to natural and legal persons and certain other undertakings and to the crypto-asset services and activities performed, provided or controlled, directly or indirectly, by t...