Estonian Financial Watchdog Calls to Revoke Crypto Businesses Licenses
- Maeker was appointed to the role at the FIU in May and it is known for its tough stance against money laundering.

Matis Maeker, the head of the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), has stated that the country should start licensing all crypto-related businesses in the country ‘again,’ implying that it should revoke the licenses of all crypto exchanges. According to Eesti Ekspress, the financial watchdog’s chief wants to ‘turn the Regulation Regulation Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority ( Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority ( Read this Term to zero’.
“These risks are very, very high. We need to react cardinally and very quickly,” Maeker commented on the topic of the people being unaware of the risks that Cryptocurrencies Cryptocurrencies By using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are nearly counterfeit-proof digital currencies that are built on blockchain technology. Comprised of decentralized networks, blockchain technology is not overseen by a central authority.Therefore, cryptocurrencies function in a decentralized nature which theoretically makes them immune to government interference. The term, cryptocurrency derives from the origin of the encryption techniques that are employed to secure the netw By using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are nearly counterfeit-proof digital currencies that are built on blockchain technology. Comprised of decentralized networks, blockchain technology is not overseen by a central authority.Therefore, cryptocurrencies function in a decentralized nature which theoretically makes them immune to government interference. The term, cryptocurrency derives from the origin of the encryption techniques that are employed to secure the netw Read this Term carry. That said, the official expressed his concerns on issues like money laundering and terrorism financing via illegal crypto activities. “The public does not know the amount (in the cryptographic business - EE ) or the risks associated with it,” he added.
Nowadays, according to ERR, there are 400 licenses issued to crypto operators in Estonia. However, Maeker showed his skepticism towards having many cryptocurrency-related companies in Estonia, given their profits ‘are rarely’ invested into the Estonian society. In fact, he said: “Their only goal is to get an Estonian license and use it to turn over very large sums, while Estonia gets nothing out of it.”
But, the Estonian watchdog had already revoked 1,808 crypto licenses last year. However, a risk assessment performed by the authorities found that changes made up to that point were not enough to mitigate the risks.
Maeker Background
Maeker was appointed to the role at the FIU in May. He is known for being active in bringing to the table discussions about money laundering issues in Estonia. Since last year, Estonia has been tightening its checks on crypto companies by launching licenses cancelation campaigns.
The country came under the spotlight after Danske Bank, Denmark’s biggest lender, was accused of watching $230 billion through a tiny Estonian branch. Furthermore, Estonia was among the first jurisdiction in Europe to legalize crypto-related activities back in 2017.
Matis Maeker, the head of the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), has stated that the country should start licensing all crypto-related businesses in the country ‘again,’ implying that it should revoke the licenses of all crypto exchanges. According to Eesti Ekspress, the financial watchdog’s chief wants to ‘turn the Regulation Regulation Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority ( Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority ( Read this Term to zero’.
“These risks are very, very high. We need to react cardinally and very quickly,” Maeker commented on the topic of the people being unaware of the risks that Cryptocurrencies Cryptocurrencies By using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are nearly counterfeit-proof digital currencies that are built on blockchain technology. Comprised of decentralized networks, blockchain technology is not overseen by a central authority.Therefore, cryptocurrencies function in a decentralized nature which theoretically makes them immune to government interference. The term, cryptocurrency derives from the origin of the encryption techniques that are employed to secure the netw By using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are nearly counterfeit-proof digital currencies that are built on blockchain technology. Comprised of decentralized networks, blockchain technology is not overseen by a central authority.Therefore, cryptocurrencies function in a decentralized nature which theoretically makes them immune to government interference. The term, cryptocurrency derives from the origin of the encryption techniques that are employed to secure the netw Read this Term carry. That said, the official expressed his concerns on issues like money laundering and terrorism financing via illegal crypto activities. “The public does not know the amount (in the cryptographic business - EE ) or the risks associated with it,” he added.
Nowadays, according to ERR, there are 400 licenses issued to crypto operators in Estonia. However, Maeker showed his skepticism towards having many cryptocurrency-related companies in Estonia, given their profits ‘are rarely’ invested into the Estonian society. In fact, he said: “Their only goal is to get an Estonian license and use it to turn over very large sums, while Estonia gets nothing out of it.”
But, the Estonian watchdog had already revoked 1,808 crypto licenses last year. However, a risk assessment performed by the authorities found that changes made up to that point were not enough to mitigate the risks.
Maeker Background
Maeker was appointed to the role at the FIU in May. He is known for being active in bringing to the table discussions about money laundering issues in Estonia. Since last year, Estonia has been tightening its checks on crypto companies by launching licenses cancelation campaigns.
The country came under the spotlight after Danske Bank, Denmark’s biggest lender, was accused of watching $230 billion through a tiny Estonian branch. Furthermore, Estonia was among the first jurisdiction in Europe to legalize crypto-related activities back in 2017.