Reed Smith Debuts Aquarius Platform for EU Crypto Compliance

The launch arrives immediately following the July 1 expiration of the EU's transition period, which ended national exemptions and mandated full compliance with the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation. Aquarius integrates automated workflows with legal oversight to assist companies in meeting stringent standards for consumer protection and governance. Reed Smith intends to expand the software’s capabilities to include regulatory regimes in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and Singapore in upcoming versions.

European authorities have shifted their focus toward how licensed entities manage real-world risks. The European Securities and Markets Authority recently launched a Common Supervisory Action targeting custody operations, private key management, and incident response procedures. As industry executives like Taurus co-founder Sebastien Dessimoz have noted, securing a license is merely the entry point; regulators now demand proof that operational controls can withstand market stress and cybersecurity threats. While policymakers continue to debate potential amendments regarding stablecoins, DeFi, and tokenized assets, the immediate priority for firms remains navigating the existing, high-stakes supervision landscape.