Market Legitimacy

Definition ∞ Market legitimacy denotes the acceptance and recognition of a financial market or asset class by participants, regulators, and the broader public. It signifies that the market operates under established rules, possesses adequate investor protections, and is perceived as trustworthy. For digital assets, this is a key determinant of mainstream adoption.
Context ∞ The pursuit of market legitimacy is a central theme in discussions surrounding the cryptocurrency industry’s maturation. News often covers efforts by exchanges, custodians, and protocol developers to adhere to compliance standards, obtain licenses, and engage with regulatory bodies to build trust. The establishment of market legitimacy is seen as a prerequisite for attracting institutional capital and facilitating wider integration of digital assets into traditional financial systems.