ESMA - Cryptomegaphone

llustration representing the shift of derivatives clearing activity toward EU central counterparties under EMIR 3 following ESMA's preliminary Active Account Requirement assessment

ESMA Reports Early Shift Toward EU CCPs Under EMIR 3, but Tier 2 CCPs Remain Dominant

July 6, 2026 by Alexander Covtun

PARIS, July 6, 2026 — The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has reported preliminary evidence that the European Union’s Active Account Requirement (AAR) under EMIR 3 is beginning to shift derivatives clearing activity toward EU-based central counterparties (CCPs), although systemically important third-country CCPs continue to dominate the market and the regulator says it is too early to draw definitive conclusions.

Illustration representing the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and EU regulation of event contracts and binary options

ESMA Reminds Firms That Certain Event Contracts Are Subject to EU Binary Options Rules

July 4, 2026 by Alexander Covtun

PARIS, July 3, 2026 — The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has reminded firms offering prediction markets, also known as event contracts, to assess whether their products fall within existing national product intervention measures on binary options where they qualify as financial instruments, as the growing popularity of such products and increasing retail participation draw greater regulatory attention.

Minimalist illustration of an open padlock representing MiCA authorization and access to the European Union crypto market.

ESMA Calls on Unauthorised CASPs to Wind Down as MiCA Transition Ends

June 27, 2026 by Alexander Covtun

PARIS, June 23, 2026 — The European Securities and Markets Authority has called on unauthorised crypto-asset service providers to immediately begin winding down their European Union activities in an orderly manner ahead of the end of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) transitional period on July 1, while taking steps to safeguard clients’ interests and mitigate risks to market integrity.

ESMA Launches EU Funds Reporting Framework, Advances Transaction Reporting Review

May 4, 2026 by Alexander Covtun

PARIS, May 4, 2026 — European Securities and Markets Authority said Monday it has launched a harmonised approach to funds reporting and set out a path toward more streamlined transaction reporting across European markets, in a statement.

ESMA document on MiCA compliance table and suitability rules

ESMA Publishes MiCA Compliance Table for Suitability and Portfolio Management Rules

April 15, 2026 by Alexander Covtun

PARIS, April 15, 2026 — The European Securities and Markets Authority published a compliance table showing which national competent authorities comply, or intend to comply, with its MiCA guidelines on suitability requirements and periodic statements for crypto-asset portfolio management activities.

ESMA Sets Operational Expectations for EU Consolidated Tapes Ahead of Launch

April 30, 2026April 4, 2026 by Alexander Covtun

PARIS, April 1, 2026 — The European Securities and Markets Authority has issued guidance on how market participants should prepare for the launch of the European Union’s consolidated tapes, publishing Questions and Answers covering the onboarding of data contributors and operational expectations for Consolidated Tape Providers (CTPs), according to a statement.

EU countries support centralised supervision of capital markets

EU’s Largest Economies Back Centralised Capital Markets Supervision

April 30, 2026March 12, 2026 by Alexander Covtun

BRUSSELS, March 12, 2026 — The European Union’s six largest economies have backed plans to centralise supervision of capital markets across the bloc, including oversight of crypto-asset service providers, according to a letter from finance ministers seen by Reuters.

ESMA public statement on EU CFD product intervention measures

ESMA Says Perpetual Futures Likely Fall Within Scope of EU CFD Measures

April 30, 2026February 27, 2026 by Alexander Covtun

PARIS, February 24, 2026 — The European Securities and Markets Authority said in a press release that derivatives marketed as “perpetual futures” or “perpetual contracts” are likely to fall within the scope of national product intervention measures on contracts for differences (CFDs) where they meet the applicable definition.

EBA–ESMA Joint Consultation Suitability Guidelines

EBA and ESMA Open Joint Consultation on Revised Suitability Guidelines

April 30, 2026February 26, 2026 by Alexander Covtun

PARIS, February 25, 2026 — The European Banking Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority launched a joint consultation on revised guidelines for assessing the suitability of members of the management body and key function holders at banks and investment firms across the European Union.

ESMA Consultation on MAR Delayed Disclosure

ESMA Opens Consultation on MAR Delayed Disclosure Guidelines

April 30, 2026February 20, 2026 by Alexander Covtun

PARIS, February 19, 2026 — The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published a consultation paper proposing amendments to its guidelines on delayed disclosure of inside information under the EU Market Abuse Regulation, with responses due by April 29, 2026.