The European Union stands ready to regulate cryptocurrencies if risks from the sector are not tackled at the global level, Valdis Dombrovskis, the bloc’s financial services chief said, Reuters reports.
“This is a global phenomenon and it’s important there is an international follow-up at the global level,” Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters.
However, he did not rule out the possibility for the EU to move ahead by regulating cryptocurrencies.
“We do not exclude the possibility to move ahead at the EU level if we see, for example, risks emerging but no clear international response emerging,” he said.
The financial services commissioner said the EU will decide how to address the issue later this year or early in 2019.
Before that G20 finance ministers and central bankers are expected to meet in Buenos Aires in March, with cryptocurrencies set to be high on the agenda.