Reed Smith, a global law firm with more than 30 offices across North America, Europe and Asia, has launched an automated compliance platform designed to help crypto companies deal with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. The platform, called Aquarius, arrives as the bloc moves into a new phase of digital asset oversight following the end of MiCA’s transition period on July 1.
What Aquarius offers crypto firms
Aquarius automates several key compliance tasks that have become essential under MiCA. These include crypto-asset classification, regulatory white paper generation, due diligence workflows, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures. According to Reed Smith, the platform combines automated workflows with legal expertise to simplify MiCA compliance for companies entering the European market or expanding their crypto offerings in the region.
Also read: Bolivia explores recognizing USDT as legal payment currency amid dollar shortage
The firm also said it plans to expand Aquarius to support crypto compliance regimes in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Singapore, signaling growing demand for cross-border regulatory tools.
MiCA’s new enforcement phase
The launch comes shortly after the European Union’s MiCA transition period ended on July 1. Until that date, crypto companies in some member states could rely on temporary national exemptions under a full grandfathering period. Those exemptions are no longer available, meaning all digital asset service providers operating in the EU must now hold a MiCA license or face regulatory action.
Also read: Robinhood Chain fuels Ethereum optimism; UK weighs permanent crypto donation ban
The MiCA framework establishes licensing requirements, consumer protection rules and operational standards for digital asset service providers across all 27 EU member states. It is widely regarded as the most comprehensive crypto regulatory framework globally.
Ongoing compliance challenges
Despite MiCA’s harmonized approach, obtaining authorization remains a complex process for many operators. Last week, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) launched a supervisory review of authorized crypto-asset service providers, examining how custodians safeguard client assets and manage operational risks.
Sebastien Dessimoz, co-founder and managing partner of digital asset infrastructure provider Taurus, noted that obtaining a MiCA license is only the beginning for custodians. They face ongoing scrutiny over cybersecurity, governance and their ability to protect client assets.
Meanwhile, reports indicate EU policymakers are considering revisions to MiCA’s stablecoin framework, including rules governing the issuance of non-euro-denominated stablecoins. According to Euronews, these discussions have been prompted in part by the United States’ GENIUS Act, which established a federal framework for payment stablecoins.
Reed Smith’s crypto credentials
Reed Smith operates a global digital asset practice under its “On Chain” initiative and has advised on several high-profile industry transactions. The firm served as legal counsel to the placement agents in Trump Media’s $2.5 billion Bitcoin treasury financing and advised Nakamoto Holdings in its merger with KindlyMD to create a Bitcoin treasury company.
Conclusion
The launch of Aquarius reflects a growing market for regulatory technology tailored to crypto compliance. As MiCA enforcement intensifies and regulators across Europe and beyond tighten oversight, automated compliance platforms are likely to become increasingly important for digital asset firms seeking to operate legally and efficiently. The tool’s planned expansion to the UK, UAE, Hong Kong and Singapore suggests that demand for such solutions is not limited to Europe.
FAQs
Q1: What is the MiCA regulation?
The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is a comprehensive EU legal framework that establishes licensing, consumer protection and operational requirements for digital asset service providers across all 27 EU member states. It came into full effect on July 1, 2026, after a transition period.
Q2: What does the Aquarius platform do?
Aquarius is an automated compliance platform launched by law firm Reed Smith. It helps crypto companies with MiCA compliance by automating tasks such as crypto-asset classification, regulatory white paper generation, due diligence and ESG disclosures.
Q3: Will Aquarius be available outside Europe?
Yes. Reed Smith has announced plans to expand Aquarius to support crypto compliance regimes in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Singapore, reflecting growing global demand for regulatory compliance tools.
Be the first to comment