#The European Commission has proposed shifting substantial regulatory and enforcement powers to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), aiming to centralize oversight of major financial market infrastructures. The plan would give ESMA direct authority over systemically important clearinghouses, central securities depositories (CSDs), trading venues, and—importantly—crypto-asset service providers, even though national-level crypto rules were introduced less than a year ago.
A new five-member independent board would be established, funded initially by the EU budget, while ongoing operational costs would be covered by regulated entities such as trading venues, CSDs, and crypto firms.
The proposal also includes legislative changes to:
prevent member states from adding extra requirements for securities issuers,
simplify CSD licensing for cross-border services,
integrate distributed ledger technology (DLT) into EU regulations.
However, the move faces resistance from several member states unwilling to surrender regulatory autonomy to Brussels. Formal negotiations will start in January, when Cyprus takes over the rotating presidency of the EU Council.
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Quick Take
Big move toward centralization: EU wants ESMA to become a more powerful, pan-European market regulator.
Crypto sector impact: Crypto-asset service providers fall under stronger EU-level supervision—reflecting the bloc's push for standardized oversight under MiCA and beyond.
Member state tension: Expect political friction as national regulators resist losing control.
DLT adoption: Signals continued EU interest in blockchain-based market infrastructure.