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---
title: "Recital 18"
type: regulation
legal_status: in_force
source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R1114
shortTitle: "Recital 18"
instrument_type: level1_regulation
authority: Commission
binding: true
binding_character: binding
mica_level2: false
legal_basis: Regulation (EU) 2023/1114
instrument: mica
celex: 32023R1114
text_version: "Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, OJ L 150, 9.6.2023"
source_url: "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1114/oj/eng"
check_status: matched
verified: true
last_checked: 2026-11-09
---

*In force · Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, OJ L 150, 9.6.2023 · Verified 9 Nov 2026 · [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1114/oj/eng)*

This Regulation classifies crypto-assets into three types, which should be distinguished from one another and subject to different requirements depending on the risks they entail. The classification is based on whether the crypto-assets seek to stabilise their value by reference to other assets. The first type consists of crypto-assets that aim to stabilise their value by referencing only one [official currency](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/mica/official-currency). The function of such crypto-assets is very similar to the function of [electronic money](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/mica/electronic-money) as defined in Directive 2009/110/EC. Like electronic money, such crypto-assets are electronic surrogates for coins and banknotes and are likely to be used for making payments. Those crypto-assets should be defined in this Regulation as ‘[e-money tokens](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/mica/electronic-money-token)’. The second type of crypto-assets concerns ‘[asset-referenced tokens](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/mica/asset-referenced-token)’, which aim to stabilise their value by referencing another value or right, or combination thereof, including one or several official currencies. That second type covers all other crypto-assets, other than e-money tokens, whose value is backed by assets, so as to avoid circumvention and to make this Regulation future-proof. Finally, the third type consists of crypto-assets other than asset-referenced tokens and e-money tokens, and covers a wide variety of crypto-assets, including [utility tokens](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/mica/utility-token).