Moldova plans to introduce its first comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation by the end of 2026, aligning its rules with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework, the country’s finance minister, Andrian Gavrilita, announced.
Gavrilita stated in an interview on the state-owned TVR Moldova that the government is collaborating with regulators to develop a legal framework that will permit citizens to hold and trade cryptocurrencies. However, the framework will stop short of recognizing digital assets as a means of payment.
“We have the responsibility to regulate them, and it will be the right of citizens to hold these currencies,” he said. “I’m not sure if we'll manage during the next month, but it’s our engagement with the European Union. You can’t prohibit [cryptocurrencies.]”
This announcement comes over a year after the full implementation of the EU’s MiCA framework, which is the first comprehensive regulatory framework for the crypto industry. MiCA went into effect for crypto-asset service providers on December 30, 2024.
The forthcoming legislation will mark Moldova’s first formal crypto law. Previously, its central bank had issued numerous warnings concerning the volatility and money laundering risks associated with digital assets.
Legislation Development and Scope
Under the proposed plan, the draft legislation will be developed collaboratively by the finance ministry, the National Bank of Moldova, the country’s financial markets regulator, and its Anti-Money Laundering authority.
The legislation aims to legalize the holding and transacting of cryptocurrencies. However, it will not include provisions to legalize digital assets for payments within the country, Gavrilita clarified.
Minister's View on Cryptocurrencies
During the interview, Gavrilita repeatedly emphasized the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies. He stated, “I avoid using the term investments when it comes to cryptocurrencies.”
“I see them more as a speculative domain, but citizens have the right to operate them either way, and this year we’ll have the legislation.”
While specific details about the upcoming bill were not disclosed, Gavrilita mentioned that countries like Estonia serve as a model due to their legislative "simplicity."
Broader European Regulatory Landscape
Meanwhile, other European countries are addressing potential licensing loopholes within the EU’s MiCA framework.
In September 2025, France became the third European country to advocate for the Paris-based European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to assume supervision of major crypto firms. Austria and Italian securities regulators also joined this call.
This development followed increasing criticism of Malta’s crypto licensing regime. In July, ESMA released a peer review of the Malta Financial Services Authority’s authorization of a crypto service provider, noting that the regulator "partially met expectations."