The European Commission has unveiled a proposal to significantly strengthen the supervisory powers of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). This initiative aims to create a more cohesive regulatory framework for the European Union’s capital markets and the rapidly evolving crypto-asset sector. A central component of the plan involves granting ESMA direct oversight responsibilities for entities authorized under the forthcoming Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, alongside an expanded role in supervising critical trading venues. The move is designed to streamline market operations across member states, reduce fragmentation, and enhance the EU’s global competitiveness. Officials indicate that bolstering ESMA’s centralized authority is a strategic step to foster a more integrated, efficient, and resilient financial ecosystem within the bloc.
