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---
title: "Recital 2"
type: regulation
legal_status: in_force
source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32023R1114
shortTitle: "Recital 2"
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)*

Crypto-assets are one of the main applications of [distributed ledger technology](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/mica/distributed-ledger-technology). Crypto-assets are digital representations of value or of rights that have the potential to bring significant benefits to market participants, including [retail holders](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/mica/retail-holder) of crypto-assets. Representations of value include external, non-intrinsic value attributed to a [crypto-asset](https://www.headlesslaw.com/definitions/mica/crypto-asset) by the parties concerned or by market participants, meaning the value is subjective and based only on the interest of the purchaser of the crypto-asset. By streamlining capital-raising processes and enhancing competition, offers of crypto-assets could allow for an innovative and inclusive way of financing, including for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). When used as a means of payment, crypto-assets can present opportunities in terms of cheaper, faster and more efficient payments, in particular on a cross-border basis, by limiting the number of intermediaries.