The ACPR and the AMF publish the findings from the Working Group on Smart Contract Certification, and launch a Public Consultation
Executive Summary
The ACPR and AMF have published findings from their 2024 Working Group on Smart Contract Certification in DeFi, launching a public consultation on February 3, 2025, to explore certification frameworks for smart contracts, focusing on standards, audits, and regulatory options. This matters as it signals proactive French regulatory preparation for potential EU-level DeFi rules under MiCA, aiming to enhance security, governance, and compliance without immediate mandates, while industry feedback favors voluntary schemes. #
What Changed
- No binding regulatory changes yet; this is exploratory work anticipating future regulation. The report proposes:
- Standards for security, governance, and compliance across execution environments.
- Audit frameworks including public authority, third-party auditors, or self-certification.
- Regulatory avenues from voluntary certification to obligations, with proportionate approaches. Consultation responses (summarized post-March 2025) confirmed support for technical standards and audits but preferred voluntary certification, with no off
Suggested Considerations
- Participate/Review: DeFi/crypto firms should review the report and response summary; late participation may inform ongoing discussions (consultation closed).
- Assess Smart Contracts: Evaluate internal smart contracts against proposed standards (security, governance, compliance) and audit practices for voluntary adoption.
- Monitor Developments: Track ACPR/AMF updates and EU MiCA/DeFi harmonization; prepare for potential fast-track CASP licensing if using certified contracts.
- Engage Stakeholders: Join ACPR-AMF Fintech Forum dialogues; implement AML/CFT enhancements for smart contract risks, as AMF/ACPR assess ongoing compliance.
Key Dates
Compliance Impact
Urgency: Medium. This is non-binding exploratory work with consultation closed, but it foreshadows potential mandatory smart contract certification in DeFi, aligning with MiCA's risk mitigation goals. Firms face low short-term risk but high long-term impact if voluntary standards evolve into obligations, especially amid DASP phase-out by July 2026 and EU harmonization needs; proactive adoption bui
Who is Affected
References
AI-generated analysis. May contain errors or omissions — verify with the original AMF source before acting. Full disclaimer.
Summary
Crypto-assets Innovation The ACPR and the AMF publish the findings from the Working Group on Smart Contract Certification, and launch a Public Consultation