MiFID II

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

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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.

ESMA public statement on EU CFD product intervention measures

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

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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.