The government has approved the draft law “On Crypto-Asset Markets,” an initiative that, according to the executive, aims to formalize a market that until now has had clear regulatory gaps. The draft, prepared by the Financial Supervisory Authority, sets the framework for cryptocurrency trading and the services related to it in Albania.
A new market under new rules
According to the government, the draft law aims to create a full legal framework for the trading of and provision of services related to crypto-assets. The stated goal is for operators’ activity to develop under clearer rules, in a market that carries high risks for investors and for public oversight.
The initiative was approved by the Council of Ministers on October 2 and now opens a new phase for bringing crypto-assets into Albania’s formal regulatory system.
Alignment with European Union rules
The draft aligns Albanian legislation with European Union Regulation 2023/1114, known as MiCA. This regulation is considered the main European foundation for crypto-asset markets.
According to the draft law, the rules will extend to the issuance of crypto-assets, the operation of trading platforms, their custody and exchange, as well as other services linked to this sector.
What is required of companies and platforms
According to the official version, one of the draft’s main points is investor protection and greater transparency. For this reason, it provides for requirements on capital, corporate governance and the management of conflicts of interest.
The draft law also includes cybersecurity requirements, as well as measures against market abuse and money laundering, an area that remains particularly sensitive when it comes to the circulation of digital assets.
Not all crypto-assets will be treated the same
The draft law provides for different treatment for different types of crypto-assets, depending on the characteristics and risks they present. This means the regulation will not be uniform for every instrument that falls into this category.
In practice, the weight of this law will depend not only on formal approval, but also on how supervision and oversight are implemented over operators seeking to operate in this market.
With this step, the government is presenting a new framework for a sector that until now has moved faster than regulation. Whether the draft will truly guarantee more security and transparency will be measured in implementation, not in formal declarations.
In a market where promises of innovation often move in parallel with the risk of abuse, the law’s real weight will be seen in the filters, controls and accountability exercised over operators.