Cryptocurrencies like ZEC, STORJ, and others have experienced ongoing fluctuations recently, but what’s more noteworthy is a major development in regulation—by December 2025, UK legislation officially classifies virtual assets such as Ethereum as "property."

This is not a sign of policy relaxation; quite the opposite, it reveals an urgent need in judicial practice.

The true trigger was the largest crypto money laundering case in UK history— involving 6.1 million Bitcoins, which amounts to a staggering 6 billion USD. During asset recovery and freezing processes, courts discovered an awkward legal vacuum: the unclear nature of virtual assets makes effective judicial seizure and accountability impossible.

Therefore, the UK's move is very pragmatic—by clarifying the status of virtual assets as "property," it provides tools for judicial authorities. But note, the UK does not grant cryptocurrencies any legal tender status; it merely recognizes their existence as "value carriers."

This is a practical choice: it aims to combat crime, regulate inheritance and bankruptcy procedures, while avoiding overreach. In other words, the UK is acknowledging the objective existence of crypto assets, not endorsing their development.

The current question is—do you think this legislation will serve as a reference model for other countries? Will more nations' follow-up bring long-term benefits or additional constraints to the crypto industry? It likely depends on how each country balances regulation and innovation.