Cut the red tape: 39 financial giants demand an emergency fast-track for Europe's blockchain pilot

Policy Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Cut the red tape: 39 financial giants demand an emergency fast-track for Europe's blockchain pilot The firms requested separating the DLT pilot regime from a larger package of 18 financial laws to allow for quicker updates and build real markets. By Francisco Rodrigues | Edited by Jamie Crawley Apr 21, 2026, 2:30 p.m. Make preferred on (Guillaume Périgois/Unsplash) What to know : In a joint letter, 39 financial and technology firms urged the EU to fast-track DLT rules, warning that delays could cause the region to fall behind the U.S. in digital finance. The firms requested separating the DLT pilot regime from a larger package of 18 financial laws to allow for quicker updates and build real markets. Requested changes include raising DLT transaction limits to 150 billion euros and removing license expiry dates, but the EU Commission prefers passing the full package together. European financial firms and technology groups are urging lawmakers to speed up changes to rules governing distributed ledger technology, warning the region risks falling behind the U.S. in digital finance. In a joint letter, 39 signatories including Boerse Stuttgart Group, Nasdaq and fintech associations across several European Union (EU) countries asked the European Commission and Parliament to separate the digital ledger technology (DLT) pilot regime from a broader legislative package under review. They argue that handling the rules on their own would allow quicker updates, Bloomberg reports. The DLT pilot, in place since 2023, lets firms test how tokenized versions of assets like shares and bonds can trade and settle using blockchains. It sits within a wider set of 18 financial laws now moving through the EU’s legislative process, a path industry groups say could take years. The coalition is pushing for practical changes, including expanding the types of assets allowed, raising transaction limits to 150 billion euros ($176 billion) and removing expiry dates on licenses . These changes, they argue, would give firms room to build real markets rather than small trials. The letter comes as the U.S. shapes laws regulating the space, including the Genius Act, meant to help bring crypto further into mainstream finance. The European Commission has signaled it prefers to pass the full legislative package together as part of its broader plan to mobilize savings into investment. Crypto News More For You Bank of Korea’s new governor signals CBDC and bank token push, skips stablecoins in key address By Francisco Rodrigues , AI Boost | Edited by Jamie Crawley 4 hours ago The BOK will increase scrutiny of crypto markets and non-bank finance, and will also modernize currency markets for 24-hour foreign exchange trading, he said. What to know : Bank of Korea's new governor Shin Hyun-song prioritized a CBDC and bank-issued deposit tokens in a key address, centering them in Korea’s digital money strategy. He omitted stablecoins from his remarks during the Digital Asset Basic Act debate, despite previously supporting a limited, competitive role. The BOK will increase scrutiny... Read full story Latest Crypto News DoorDash is bringing stablecoin payments to masses with Stripe-backed blockchain 12 minutes ago CoinDesk 20 performance update: Stellar (XLM) gains 3.3% while index moves lower 1 hour ago Almost 80% of Japan's institutional investors plan to buy crypto within 3 years, survey finds 2 hours ago Bitcoin trades above a make-or-break level ahead of Warsh hearing 3 hours ago Bitcoin climbs as risk sentiment improves, altcoins hit by exploit concerns 3 hours ago Crypto scammers offer ‘safe passage’ through Hormuz. At least one ship may have been conned. 3 hours ago Top Stories Strategy overtakes BlackRock IBIT in bitcoin holdings after bear market buying 4 hours ago North Korea’s crypto heist playbook is expanding and DeFi keeps getting hit 17 hours ago Aave could face up to $230 million in losses after Kelp DAO bridge exploit triggers DeFi chaos 17 hours ago Bitcoin is now calmer than South Korea's stock market. Here's why it matters 5 hours ago Arbitrum freezes $71 million in ether tied to Kelp DAO exploit 8 hours ago Ripple wants the XRP Ledger to be quantum-proof by 2028. Here is its plan 8 hours ago